I am Radiant and Unfading

Yesterday, two people told me that I looked "radiant." I couldn't help but think about the scripture that I preached from in November: Wisdom 6:12-16

One of the lines says that Wisdom is "radiant and unfading."

When reading this text through the lens of my life experience, I immediately sought comfort in wisdom--in myself--in identifying myself as her. We are all wisdom.

The black woman’s wisdom runs deep
Deeply Buried in the bloody soil of this nation—
from pushing white babies through Central Park in expensive strollers
to writing dissertations that the academy don’t wanna publish.
From knowing just how much baking powder goes in the cake without measuring
to braiding your daughter’s hair with your eyes closed,
This Wisdom—this black woman’s wisdom runs deep.
It is ingrained in the fabric of the nation.
She is radiant and unfading—the text says--
Another translation says that “she is brilliant, she never fades.”

Today, I feel brilliant!

Today, I was awarded the Jonathan Kneeland Fellowship by Auburn Seminary, awarded to a senior or middler at Union Theological Seminary for an exegetically-based sermon in manuscript form. 🙆

My sermon was entitled "I Have An Issue of Blood"--an exploration of Mark 5:25-34. I'm grateful for those who've inspired me to step into myself, and who've affirmed me along this very tumultuous journey--for those who called out my wisdom and my radiance.

Today, more than ever, I feel brilliant and bold, black and beautiful.

Even amidst the turmoil of this year--mental and physical health issues, the end of a relationship, and the stress related to being a full-time graduate student-- I've managed to not crumble into dust or fade away.

I am still here. I am still glowing. I am still wisdom.

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