The Night My Heart Grew Two Sizes

Last night I had the privilege of being a part of a Christmas dinner with group entitled the Renaissance Scholars. "RS" is a program that recruits and supports foster youth in their education at CSU East Bay, and it's also where my wife Tara works. I finally had the opportunity to meet the incredible individuals that my wife comes home to talk to me about daily.

I sat with three young ladies Déjà, Regina, & Angelia as well as my wife. Usually when I eat in a place with $30+ dollar plates I am much more serious, but last night I laughed and I laughed and I laughed some more, thank you ladies. I had such a wonderful time and feel privileged to have dined with "greatness" last night. I could tell by some of the conversations, that each of these young people has a story to tell. I realized the courage and tenacity that these individuals have within them and I encourage you to never stop, to never quit. I'm probably not far off by saying that these young people should not be in college educating themselves...but they are and they are succeeding. There probably should not be any smiles on their face because of the cards they have been dealt in life but they are smiling and making others smile as well. Last night in just a few short hours my heart grew two sizes I can only imagine the heart size of my wife and others who daily get to rub shoulders with this awesome group of young people.

I’m reminded of a story that I heard from my Pastor, Dan Vera. In the early 90's nobody could take the Orlando Magic seriously. The Magic was young, yet to have a winning season, and two of their last four seasons had ended with them in last place. The 93-94 NBA season gave way to a young man in only his second year playing, named Shaquille O’Neal, and every time this 7 foot 1 giant took hold of the ball it looked like an orange in his hands.
Despite previous last place losing seasons a sign stood above the exit way of the Magic which read, "Why not here, Why not Now, Why Not us." The words penned above the door at every game would enter the court with the Magic and also became the character of the team. If nobody else believed in the Magic, they believed in themselves and in the 1994 NBA season a young franchise team with tremendous odds against them, had their first winning season and was in the playoffs. Although the Magic did not reach the ultimate goal of a Championship that year, the character of the team is what I encourage you with today, "Why not here, Why Not Now, Why not YOU." “When someone believes in you, you win, but when you believe in yourself everyone wins"

RS keep it up, dream and dream big and thank you for making this holiday season special for me, you grew my heart last night and I urge you to grow yours, the skies the limit. To Kevin who is the visionary of this program, the Bible says, “Without vision people perish.” Vision impacts, it influences, it paves way for what could be and should be. Keep spreading the Vision of what could be and should be in the lives of young people. I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies "Gladiator" "What you do in this life will echo in eternity"

Have an incredible Christmas and go into the New Year knowing that anything is possible... God Bless