How many times have you put your best foot forward and been knocked to the ground like you were an opponent in an unfair fight? I feel like sometimes life puts us in situations that make us look up to God in confusion wondering what is going on and what we did wrong! Life is a reality of pain, acceptance of inadequacies, and constantly fighting to raise yourself back up from complicated seemingly unfair situations. I just have to believe though that any and all challenges we face in life are only for a season and we will come out of them if we endure. I have to believe that if we give up, we have missed the meaning and lessons of life. Every challenge is a prelude to a triumph and every change is a catalyst to newness of life…when we are backed against the wall, our only response is to act like a fighter thrown in the corner by his opponent…ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES!! Life forces you to respond hit for hit when you are backed into a corner or you will get knocked out! I faced challenges this week…I found out a close friend of mine died, I am steady reaching to expand my business and I am still recovering from an extreme inner hurt.I also know that I cannot quit though no matter what and I know that you cannot quit no matter what! Our challenges develop our character and refine our consciousness of what we are made of. I believe that my Pastor’s message this past Sunday morning can serve as a them for society…”Quit faking it”. As Pastor Pyles so eloquently stated, we can only heal when we acknowledge our hurt, recognize our issues and face our challenges. To roll with the punches you have to acknowledge who the opponent is and how that opponent is attacking even if you are the opponent! We deal with things longer in life because we hide behind them and use them as an excuse to be mediocre. We deal with things to long in life because we blame everyone else for not working on our healing when we are capable of doing it. We deal with things longer in life because we are not willing to fight to push through our inner pain, resolve our inadequacies, and work towards purpose! Don’t look at things as a challenge…look at them as a lesson.

My friend did that in His life– he faced challenge after challenge and relied on faith to make it through. He fought like a soldier for justice and education. He was the example of what a father should be to his children. He was an example off how each generation should teach the next. In the days when fathers run away from their children, he ran to his and gladly took on the role of single father. In the days when people are engaging in the trendy use of slang, he encouraged the proper use of etiquette. He encouraged every one to be the best in all and to represent themselves with dignity. He endured like a warrior, and now has been promoted. As my fraternity celebrates 100 years, he is exactly what makes the legacy great. He was the example of a great Alpha man and more importantly a great Godly man.

To my dear brother David Keaton…you walked with dignity like a King on Earth, now you are walking with the King in Heaven. You served with grace in this place, now you can behold His face. Although in my selfish human nature I wish you were here, I rejoice that you closed your eyes on this side and are walking with the angels in the clouds where one day our Christ will appear! I will miss you…