Faith Heart Magazine | Page 12

I Made a PROMISE I Didn't Know How to Fulfill By Carlenia Springer For a few weeks, that was all I could do. The day before the brigade, I didn’t have enough turkeys. It was close to Thanksgiving and I had promised “Thrive DC” to provide 100 of their families with Thanksgiving baskets. I didn't know I would be on sick leave, have no money or team support. I recall waking up one morning with the distinct impression I was going to fail and many people would be disappointed. In that moment, a quote flooded my mind, “Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation the ignorance of one elementary truth kills countless ideas and splendid plans that the moment one definitely commits oneself then Providence moves too and all manner of unforeseen circumstances issues forth from the decision raising in one’s favor resources and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would be possible. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it, whatever you dream you can do begin it. Begin it now!” I looked up on my bedroom door. There was a quote my daughter had written there by Napoleon Bonaparte, “I see only the objective all obstacles must give way.” Right then I decided I would commit to doing at least one positive thing daily. That morning I received a voicemail from a gentleman who lived out of town, and he said he was bringing his wife, son, basketball team, and the coach with him; they were bringing turkeys and potatoes. There was barely space in the car for my daughter and 6 year old son. We arrived about 2 hours early. I had grossly underestimated the amount of work and began getting nervous. Just then things started changing. I noticed my son riding in the elevator by himself. I got scared and told him he couldn’t do it. “I’ve already done it twice.” He replied. I saw something in his eyes I had never seen before. He was taking charge and helping with a fervor and an excitement. As people began arriving, my daughter took charge. When the youth poured in I was speechless. The place was packed. There was almost no space to move. My son didn’t eat until 5 p.m. and never once complained. FAITH HEART MAGAZINE I 9