Thursday I spoke at Jarman Middle School, Del City High School to students about how they can make practical changes in their lives to achieve their dreams. Afterwards, several students who heard me speak last year school approached me to tell me personal stories about how I have helped them. A young lady told me that I saved her life. She said had been planning to ditch school the day I was scheduled to speak, but because she heard I was coming, she decided stay and see what I had to say. The guy with whom she was supposed to ditch school was shot and killed that very day. She just cried in my arms, and wanted to thank me.
Another young lady had been sexually molested by a parent, and had been depressed and suicidal. After hearing me speak about her power to keep living through the tears and the pain of life, she said that she was going to use her experience to help other victims of molestation and abuse.
Then, a young man, with several tattoos decorating his arms and knuckles, with the stench of gang life on him, came to me with tears in his eyes, telling me that my story has inspired him to change his life.
I also spoke at a mental health facility to adolescents who have endured some of the most horrendous things ever visited upon a young person. It's hard to even mention, without shedding a tear, some of the pain and heartbreak that they shared with me. They are so strong! I finished speaking at about 2:30, but I didn't get out of there until after 4 P.M., because each one of those beautiful young people waited in line to speak with me, one by one, to share with me how my life and message inspires them and gives them hope. The tears flowed, healing was taking place, and hope was being resurrected in them.
Then Friday, I spoke to about 400 teachers about their power to create a thirst for education in their students. I also encouraged them to become students of their students, to become incarnational in the lives of young people, studying the culture, language, values, and worldviews of young people in order to make their lesson plans more relevant. One teacher said that I was the most inspiring speaker she has ever heard in her 38 years in education.
Then I rushed to the airport so I could get back to Chicago to be with my lovely wife, my two little men, and my little angel. My body's tired, my voice is too. But my heart is full because I know that I left everything on the field- I gave my all in Oklahoma- and I know that hearts were softened, eyes were opened, and lives were really changed.
Today, Saturday, I'm sitting in a study carrell, hitting the books, writing papers, and sharpening the saw.
Until next time! Thanks for the love and support!
