It's Graduation Day  

Against All Odds    

Our family is pleased to boast that three nephews and one niece completed one of the important milestones in life--graduation from high school. Yes, we had four graduates this year and we are proud of each and every one of them. Each of them put forth stupendous effort in achieving a goal that

Joe Showers graduation 2011

would have made their Great-Grandmother proud. Her desire was that all of her offspring would complete high school; a feat she was not able to accomplish. From proms to graduations and on to open houses we celebrate these graduates.

It takes persistence and determination to achieve any goal. Sometimes it may appear to be a daunting task when so many obstacles are placed in your path. Well, one of my nephews overcame many obstacles and succeeded in realizing his dream to graduate from high school. Over the course of his high school years he could have easily given up and became a dropout statistic; but he didn't. Instead he made a decision and relentlessly pursued it.

This young man did not have the parental support or stability others may have had. Along the way he had a few close cousins and friends to be gunned down as well as his Grandmother passing away. He kept moving forward. Oftentimes he didn't even have bus fare to make it to school, but that didn't dissuade him.

I witnessed this young man overcome these barriers with ingenuity, creativity and perseverance. He tapped into his network of resources and along the way gained the recognition and respect of family members, teachers, peers and others. How? He didn't allow his circumstances to stop him from pressing forward.

Because he didn't have the family structure that necessitated discipline, he learned to discipline himself. As a result of this self-determination he graduated with honors. I'll never forget when he called me to say that he couldn't get the car he wanted for his prom and I encouraged him by letting him know that it has nothing to do with the car he drives as much as it has to do with him. I told him that he is the Roll Royce of this equation and when the prom was over the rental car had to go back, but he would continue to move forward in pursuit of his dreams.

He overcame his fear of driving so he could drive to his prom. And, he didn't allow having only his permit prevent him from accomplishing this endeavor. And, was not above having an adult in the car to ride with him as he escorted his date to the prom.

Oftentimes we allow so many things to prevent us from overcoming obstacles. It is so easy to do. It takes a certain amount of determination and persistence to never give up. It takes relentlessness to keep trudging ahead when it appears as though so many obstacles have been placed in your path to prevent you from reaching your goal.

This young man not only graduated from high school. He graduated from his past. He graduated from his fears. He graduated from being a statistic. He graduated from a system that had already counted him out before he even began the course. He graduated from a limited mindset into a higher way of thinking. He graduated from negative labels that tried to define him as a loser. More importantly, he graduated into knowing that there is absolutely nothing that can prevent him from becoming all God envisioned regardless of the odds against him.

It's graduation day! What things are you graduating from regardless of the odds that are up against you? Be relentless! Don't let anything stop you! Achieve your goals!

Copyright � 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Jacqui A. Showers., The Showers Group Ministries

 

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