The first elementary school I taught at was an inner-city, impoverished school. Quite different from the middle-class environment I grew up in. My little second graders experienced things that broke my heart and brought tears to my eyes.

They walked to school past crack houses and drug dealers. This was a neighborhood where school lock-downs and police helicopter fly-overs were common place. Yet, these children never gave up. They were at school every day, and tried their hardest to succeed. Their eyes were on the prize.

Several years ago, I mentored young teens at a juvenile facility in the criminal justice system. These 13-15-year-old boys and girls had seen, and done things, I could hardly imagine.

One girl chose to stay in lock-up, and get her GED, rather than return to her home where a predatory step-father waited. Her younger sister pleaded guilty to a crime she didn’t commit, so she would be sent to jail, to avoid the same step-father.

On the last day with another mentee, as we both sat there crying, I told her Jesus would always be with her, looking out for her, taking care of her, and even though I wouldn’t be able to stay in touch with her, I would be praying for her. She said something I remind myself every day, “So, Jesus is like my homies…he’s got my back.” Absolutely.

These girls were determined to persevere, and overcome their present situations for a brighter future. They’d been knocked down, but refused to be knocked out.

There may be things you are facing right now, that seem impossible to overcome. Life’s tough. It truly is.

War. Unrest. Natural disasters. People with evil intent. Political turmoil. Divorce. Addictions. Disease. Death…It’s hard some days to keep on keeping on. But that’s what we need to do.

Keep pushing. Keep trying. Keep believing. Keep getting back up, when life knocks us down. Why? Because we belong to the One who overcame it all.

 

I (Jesus) have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Never doubt it…through Jesus’ power, you can be an over comer.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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