Let Your Light Shine

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
-Marianne Williamson

The first time I really heard this quote was on "Akeelah and the Bee." Lawerence Fishburne spoke so eloquently as he uttered the words that were now embedded in my soul. These words are words of inspiration that I would like to pass on to my children and my children's children. I am but three days away from take a first step in the rest of my son's life. The baby that I birth on April 2, 1990 will leave me for the first time to go off to college. As I wash his clothes and pack each bag, there are memories of our struggles, our successes, our disagreements, and the life that we have shared over the past 19 years. I would not trade one day with him, if God were to ask me, if I would do it again, I would say yes. As he prepare to leave home, the prayer that I have from his is this:
My Dear Son:
I ask God to watch over you, protect you, carry you through, I ask that he gives you the wisdom and knowledge to be an example for other young men. I ask God to give you strength and endurance. On the days when you want to come home give you the strength to endure. I speak blessing into your life, your were not only created in your father and I images, but you are created in the image of God. Therefore, although things may not always go smoothly in your life, you have a birth right and that is the right to shine, the right to be talented, the right to live the life that God has planned for you. Do not ever look back and have regrets, know in your heart that God has a plan for you, even when the plan looks dim, God is shining his light and you will receive it. I ask God to guide my son, if he should want to come home, I ask that God will help him to see that his future is more important than his present situation. Most of all God, I pray that you will strengthen my heart to let go and let God. As tears stream down my face, I want you to know that I trust God more than anyone on this Earth and I claim the victory in your Life. Remember that "through Christ you can do All Things." I love you and I know that God is not through with you yet. Most all know that when God says yes, ten thousand can be against you, but you will prevail. Amen.

Thank you for giving me this son!