God has been so good to me over the years but even more so the last year. The reasons why my blessings have increased is because I decided to put God first. Now that doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t bless you otherwise, he will. That’s how great our God is. Matthew 6:33 says But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. This is one of my favorite texts in the Bible. Partly because it has a promise attached to it. About a year ago when I started my ministry I also decided that I’m going to live a kingdom first life. Now I know it wasn’t going to be easy because of my sinful human nature but I had nothing else to lose. That meant putting God first in every aspect of my life. For me, it meant paying my tithes even when I felt like I didn’t have enough money, it meant not engaging in certain behaviors, it meant consulting God before making any decisions, it meant taking the time out of my day to praise and thank God, it meant finding outlets to spread his gospel. It basically meant making God a priority; my number 1 priority. One of the ways God has blessed me this year is with my son and school. Every parent in NYC knows the struggle of finding the right school for your little ones. It can be one of the most stressful things about being a parent. Well, it was no different for me. My 5 year old son Chace was attending a private daycare center but as he turned 5, I was faced with the challenge of where he would attend for kindergarten. As I looked through the schools directory I was not pleased with the scores and the grading that the schools in our neighborhood had. This gave me anxiety. I began to think, can we afford private school? Will he still thrive and excel in public school? Those questions and a host of other thoughts flooded my mind. It was a constant stress for me. I prayed about, I consulted my friends about, I researched different schools etc, but I was still lost. I signed Chace up to be tested for the gifted and talented schools but he did not score high enough to be placed. I applied to several charter schools which are specialized public schools but he did not get a seat either. I felt defeated and as the time got closer and closer for him to start school, I felt like I had no choice but to send him to the public school in our neighborhood. I don’t know why I haven’t learned this as yet that we serve a mighty good God and that with God all things are possible. He doesn’t show up on our time but he shows up nevertheless. I applied to the network of charter schools known as Success Academy. These schools are currently number 1 in the state based on their English Language Arts(ELA) and Math scores. I applied to four locations and was saddened when I receive the rejection letter saying he was wait-listed and it’s unlikely that he will get in for the upcoming school year. I spoke to my friends about it and one friend said to me don’t worry, they may still accept him, you have time, as the letter was sent out in April and the new school year begins in August. The months rolled by and nothing. School began for them and nothing. I was already convinced that that was it and we would have to apply again for next year. I always say that every time I make plans, I think that God just laughs at me. Exactly 2 weeks after Success Academy welcomed their students back for the new school year, I received an email saying Congratulations, we’ve accepted Chace into success Academy Upper West. I couldn’t believe it. Chace was number 434 on their wait-list!! Did you hear me? 433 students were in front of him and he got in. God was showing me that Chace may have been number 434 to them but he is and will always be number 1 to him. Not only that but my family stepped up and have been taking him to school until we find a driver being that it is so far from where we live; my cousin bought ALL of his uniforms, and my aunt and sister bought him enough snacks to last a few weeks. I know that all of this was made possible because God intervened on my behalf. He never breaks his promises and he is always faithful to us. I challenge anyone to try God. Try putting him first and watch how he transforms your life and the lives of those around you!

My Success Academy Scholar…Class of 2034❤️