“It’s Back to School:  It’s Time to Represent!”
by: Mama Danley

The summer is over, and school is back in session!  My, my, my, how time flies.  It’ s seems like only yesterday you were cleaning out your lockers, and today you’re preparing to fill them up again.  Most students will gather the traditional school supplies like notebooks, writing utensils, calculators and other items. But you are not like most students.  You have been set aside by God to represent Him here on earth.  

As God’s representative, you will need more than the traditional school supplies.  God has called you to set a standard.  So, as you equip yourself with everything you need to make this school year a success, don’t forget to pack these essential spiritual supplies listed below. They will allow you to set an atmosphere in your school that is representative of who God is in your life and in the world.
 
Patience—Life and people do not always move at the pace you would like them to move.  The teachers may take too long to grade the papers; the students may not move fast enough in the hallways; and your parents may not buy you what you ask for when you ask.  Don’t be dismayed.  Life is about timing, and God uses incidents like those above to teach us patience and to remind us that everything is done according to God’s schedule, not ours.

Courage—Schools are filled with “extra curricular” activities that do not line up with God’s will for your life.  On a daily basis, you may be tempted to participate in gang activities, fight, use drugs, speak profane language and engage in premarital sex, among other things.  Have the courage to say “no.”  There is no need to fear those who seek to tempt you.  God has not given you the spirit of fear, but of power and a strong mind. Don’t worry about what others will think if you say “no,” but consider what they will think of God if you say “yes.”  Stand up for what is right and be an example to others.

Determination—Anything worth having is worth working for and waiting for. Your goal should be to have a joyous and prosperous year at school.  To have this kind of year, you must have determination. You must be committed to reaching your goal, no matter what obstacles may come forth.  If you desire to receive an A in a class, then you should do everything that you can to make it happen, even if it requires extra studying, extra credit work, and spending extra time with your teacher.  Your level of determination determines your level of success.

Patience, Courage, and Determination are the spiritual tools that will make this school year a success for you.

At the beginning of every school year, you have a brand new opportunity to learn and grow through your interactions with your teachers and peers.  

Don’t take this opportunity for granted.  Use it to benefit your life and the lives of those around you.  Set an example for those around you; set the standard for others to reach.  Remember that you are the physical manifestation of who God is.

When people see you, they should see God in all of His Greatness, His holiness, His compassion, and His love for all mankind. It’s time for YOU to REPRESENT!!!

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About the Author


 Charrita D. Danley was born and raised in Greenville, Mississippi, the heart of the Delta.  When she was a tender 3 years old, her family recognized her love for words when they found her sitting and reading the local newspaper.  She was in no way distracted by the upside down print. As she grew older and began to read, her parents encouraged her penchant for reading by listening attentively as she read to them, enrolling her in summer programs at the local library, and providing her with her very own subscription to Ebony Junior.  As a result, books and reading materials became her most treasured possessions.

 In 1990, she graduated from Tougaloo with a B.A. in English.  She pursued graduate studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where in 1995, she earned a M.A. in English Rhetoric and Composition and Technical Writing. After completing the Master’s, she began her high school teaching career in Greenville, and later moved to the Atlanta area.  While teaching, she continued her education, earning a Ph.D. in English Rhetoric Composition and Linguistics in 2003 from Georgia State University.

As a resident of Atlanta, Charrita began work on her first
novel, Through the Crack, which she self-published in 2004 through her company, Chideria Publishing, Inc.  Set in the South, the novel explores a family’s journey from addiction to recovery, exposing the physical, mental, and emotional struggles experienced along the way.
 
 A proponent of effective communication, Dr. Danley is also the founder of DANLEY Writing Consultants, an organization that provides writing and editorial services that develop clients’ concepts and ideas into well-written products.  In addition, she teaches college writing courses and conducts presentations, workshops, and seminars related to writing, linguistics and language arts education.

 Dr. Danley also writes poetry and various types of non-fiction materials. She is a member of many professional and educational organizations.  For more information, please visit www.danleywriting.com and  
www.chideria-publishing.com.