Sunday, July 31, 2011

Shamel & Anna

Today I was given two visual representations of why I do what I do. Since 1999, I have taught a little over a thousand students. Many of these students made indelible impressions which would classify them as simply unforgettable. Some were just the sunshine in my day and some kept me on knees to pray. Today I ran into two of my former students and it just did my heart well to see them, especially considering the fact that I return to work in roughly two weeks.


The first student that I ran into today was Shamel. Shamel is my adoptive nephew whom I taught at Broughton High in 2001 and 2002. However, Shamel and I did not always have a pleasant Uncle-Nephew type relationship, at the beginning, contentious would be a good way to describe it, as he was in a class of nearly 30 freshmen and sophomores trying to learn Spanish. It was my first year teaching in the public school, and Shamel was determined to show me what I was made of. Shamel was a typical class clown, mouthy and ostentatious with the grades to prove it. Long story short, Shamel failed the first semester of Spanish I with me. But during the second semester, I noticed that his behavior was more subdue and he was actually doing his homework and appeared to be learning.

Shamel passed the second semester and earned a B on his final exam. During the second semester, Shamel and I grew closer in terms of a mentor-mentee relationship. I noticed that around April, he started calling me Uncle Tyson. I didn’t think much of it considering that I was already an uncle. I had Shamel yet again for Spanish II the following academic year. By this time everyone from, students, faculty and administration actually thought that Shamel was my biological nephew and I would be summoned upon any of his mischievous antics. Today, Shamel is such a hard worker. He works at Moe’s in Cameron Village. He worked to help put his younger sisters, who are twins through college at N.C. Central University. He is about to turn twenty-six in October and told me that he is a father and the baby girl is due December 17. He is ready and armed for the responsibility. I could not believe that he is nearly twenty-six and I told him that I was a little bit younger than he was when I first taught him ten years ago, and his eyes just lit up. I am so proud of my nephew, as I now have three; Andrew, Cole and Shamel (of these, Shamel is the oldest).

After scarfing down the burrito and chips from Moe’s courtesy of Shamel, I decided that it would be good for me to attempt to burn off some of the calories I had just consumed. I went to my neighborhood YMCA and got a good cardio session in. I cycled about seven miles. After my cycle session, I decided to cool down on the track. Lo and behold I literally ran into Anna, one of my former students from Saint Mary’s class of 2010. Anna had the Tyson double header. She suffered with me in both advisory (homeroom) and in Spanish classes. Anna was in my Honors Spanish III and Spanish V classes as a sophomore and senior. She was in my homeroom for all four years. I still remember meeting Anna for the first time and her mother telling me that “We’ve heard that your advisory is the best one on campus!” Immediately, I was flattered. The Best on campus? She’s either really trying too hard to be nice or has me confused with another advisor. I watched Anna grow from a freshman into a poised member of the SMS Alumni Association. Anna has always been a hard worker, in class and out of class. She was pleasant and always respectful. I noticed that Anna really excelled in math and science, and Spanish. Anna went through the normal junior and senior year stressors that any college bound student goes through. I had not seen much of Anna since she graduated. I keep up with her through Twitter and Facebook, but had not really seen her. Anna is now a sophomore Physics major at Clemson University and is set to make her societal debut in September. Over four years you really get attached to students, and hate to see them go. But, as with most life journeys, we’re just passing through.

Seeing Shamel and Anna today, was refreshing. It reminded me that I teach to make a difference. To Shamel, I am Uncle Tyson. To Anna, I’m her favorite advisor and Spanish teacher. I have several other similar stories of countless students, but seeing these two today, put me in a state of humility. As I continue to discern my calling into diaconal ministry in God’s holy church, regardless of what other career paths I assume, I am and always will be a teacher at heart, whether inside or outside of the classroom. Thanks be to God!

Peace,

Karsten

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Endued with Grace from on high!!

I hope this blesses you, I would really like to put it to music.

Christ died for all that we may live again.
And here we stand in love cleansed from our sin.
Endued with Grace from on high, Alleluia!

Forgiven as we from day to day forgive.
In new eternal life we forever live.
Endued with Grace from on high, Alleluia!

No longer enemies, but we are friends.
Partakers of a love that will never end.
Endued with Grace from on high, Alleluia!

Oh what at fellowship and joy divine!
No greater love than this that I could find.
Endued with Grace from on high, Alleluia!

Christ died for all that we may live again.
And here we stand in love cleansed from our sin.
Endued with Grace from on high, Alleluia!

Peace,
Karsten

I wonder...

With all this talk of record breaking heat, debt ceilings being raised, unemployment, and all other conditions of men and society.  It just makes one wonder.  Over the course of the summer, I've been in a very humble and contemplative mental frame of reference.  I guess that's what having nearly two months off work will do for you.  Note, that previous statement was two months off work, not ministry.  Ministry, whether lay or ordained is a full time, salary exempt position.  There is more than an abundance of over time hours. 

Case in point, today while checking out my priest's BLOG "God's Worker Bee" I was in Brugger's enjoying a cup of hazelnut coffee, or should I say cream with hazelnut coffee?  I was approached by an acquaintance who is a dear friend of one of my former student's parents.  He asked what I was doing and I told him checking out my priest's BLOG.  He thought that was the coolest thing that my priest had a blog.  I told him about my church, and invited him to our upcoming Family & Friends Day.  He was very receptive and open to coming.  See what I'm saying, 24 hour ministry.

Earlier today, I was at Target, and I saw an older lady that reminded me of my grandmother Annie.  I was really close to my paternal grandparents, and had a moment of really missing her and wanting to talk to her, wanting to hear a word of loving encouragement from her.  I did get emotional, but not to the point of being a crying, snotty mess.  As I entered the store, the old lady had hand wipes and she wiped the handle of the basket in which she would put her purchases.  I chuckled to myself and began to wonder, if my grandmother would be proud of me.  Would she be proud of the man that I have become?  What would she tell me if she were here with me today? 

Not only did I think about my grandmother, but I began to think of all the brave frontline soldiers who suffered and died so that I might enjoy to the civil liberties that I so often take for granted.  I wonder if the people upon whose shoulders I currently stand, would deem me to be an adequate representation of what their hopes were.  Sometimes upon gazing at my reflection in the mirror, I often wonder who is that man?  What has he done to make a difference?  Brothers and sisters, it is important to live each day to the fullest, and in all your doings, make sure that you glorify God, correct the wrongs and injustices of society and speak up when it would be more convenient to remain silent.  Change begins with you.  I wonder if you will join me in making the saints and our ancestors proud?

Peace,

Karsten

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Circumstantially speaking

After some much needed R&R, I am back from my BLOGcation and have enjoyed every minute of my summer vacation. With roughly two and a half weeks left of no daily structure, camping out at coffee houses, catching up with friends and colleagues, and dodging the heat, I am very well rested and rejuvenated after a very exhausting end of school year. But thanks be to God, who causes us to triumph in all things!


Contrary to popular belief, I have been very busy and active this summer with Vacation Bible School, Vestry, launching a Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, and outreach at The Shepherd’s Table soup kitchen, which proved to be a very humbling experience. Recently in my Twitter news feed, I noticed a Tweet from Rev. Jamal Harrison Bryant, Senior Pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore. The tweet said, “I am no better than anyone else, I just made better choices.” That was a very humbling tweet for me and yet very powerful. As I ruminated over this tweet, I was reminded that I am not better than anyone else. However, I thought about my life a little more closely and thought about some of the decisions I made. Let’s just say that God is rich in mercy and compassion. I can honestly say that my choices are or were not better than anyone else who may be down on their luck in their journey.

I realize more than ever that it was God’s divine providence that kept me from being consumed and further entrapped by the enemy’s snares. I often think about the poem “Footprints.” I can see the times in my life when the trail of two prints reduced to one and I had to be carried through my trial by the Master. I thank God for this revelation. I am not better than anyone else. I have not always made better choices. However, I am a victim of better circumstances. I piggyback off of Pastor Bryant and say to you that: You are not better than anyone else, you just made better choices. You are a victim of better circumstances. Brothers and sisters, it did not have to be this way. My soul just looks back and wonder, how I got over. Take the love of God with you, proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever you are and be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God.

Peace,

Karsten