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My college graduation picture did not look like most, I know. After all, I was at least ten years older than almost everyone in my graduating class. But, it was no doubt one of the proudest moments of my life. It seemed, at age 16, when I left my counselors office for the final time, and told him I was quitting high school for the second year in a row, it appeared my educational aspirations were over. I had quit the year before, and went to Hinds Community College and took a semester of carpentry and bricklaying. I had moved into a duplex with my cousin, who had also dropped out of school and was going to Hinds. But after going to school all day and working nights to pay rent, I decided, at age 16, that I might want to give school one more try. But living on my own at this young age just gave me too much freedom, and going to school just wasn't a priority anymore, not that it ever was. The main reason I returned to school was to play sports, which I had always played baseball and football. But, after my counselor informed me that, because I had quit school the year before, I would have to sit out a year, that was the beginning of the end; and about three semesters in, I just threw in the towel and gave up. I had taken GED classes while at Hinds, so I just took my GED, and at the tender age of 17, into the world I went.
Fast forward 9 years, and I had worked my way into a pretty decent job, but had hit a ceiling because I did not have a college degree. I decided that I would give college a try and enrolled back in Hinds and took two night classes. Almost immediately, I felt overwhelmed and it was so obvious I was unprepared for college. I stuck it out until my first test in each class; I knew I had failed them both miserably, so I never even returned to find out what my grade was. Feeling like a complete failure in academics, I just decided I was not smart enough for college, and figured I would just do the best I could, with what I had.
It was this same week, when I was feeling like the complete failure, that God took control of my life. He blessed me with an amazing woman of God, who He would use to encourage me to believe in myself, and to not allow my past failures to get in the way of the amazing life He had planned for our future. I still remember the day I came to her, and told her that I felt God wanted me to pursue my degree in Christian Studies. Now, here I was with no track record to prove I could be successful in college; in fact, she had every reason to believe I couldn't make it. But, her faith in me, and more importantly, her faith of what God could do through me, was all the proof she needed. She told me if that was what I felt God wanted me to do; to go for it!
So I did go for it, and with God guiding my every step, at age 35, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Studies & Philosophy. And to reward Janice for her faithfulness, He opened a door for her to go as well, and she graduated only a semester behind me with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Since graduating from Mississippi College in 1998, EVERY job I have held required a college degree. And Janice is now excelling in her career, with a job that has been nothing short of a God send. She works for an amazing company, who has been so understanding of the fight she has been in. Most companies, when they found out she had cancer, probably would have looked for a way to get rid of her, since she would be missing so much work. But not Southern Farm Life Insurance Company; instead of finding a way to get rid of her, they have given her opportunities to excel in her career, and I could not be more proud of her.
We serve an amazing God who absolutely loves to bless His children, when they will simply put their faith and trust in Him. And I have been doubly blessed; not only do I have an amazing God ordering the steps of my life; I have an amazing wife, who has done nothing but love and support me for nearly 26 years now. So, when you see me continually praising them both, now you know why; because, they are both worthy to be praised.
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:3
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Proverbs 31:28
From my heart to yours!
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