I run with purpose— Each step I take is traced With footprints of mercy and grace. Even when doubt tries to tag along, And fear whispers in my ear, I place one timid foot before the other, Wipe my eyes, Adjust my gaze So I can see things clear.
Sometimes, I fail, Desperately awaiting hope to appear along the trail. Sometimes, I grow weary. The race leaves me fatigued and dreary.
At times, I forget to lay Down the burdens I was never meant to carry. I pick up heavy baggage along the way— Get lost and make wrong turns, Down roads where I was never meant to tarry. I linger too long on trails My Father told me to leave behind. Yet He still encourages me forward, Keeping me connected to the Vine.
And with time—and lessons learned, And a saving grace so divine, With a word of compass, And mercy, And God’s comforting hands: Steady and kind, I can finish my race, Purposefully, One faithful step at a time.
Yesterday, I had an awesome outing with my family. And, although the zoo closed early on us, we still made the most of our time—walking the Nature Walk, going out to eat, and grabbing ice cream afterward.
But on the walk back, my mom and sister started laughing because now, suddenly, my toddler nephew was sitting in the wagon like a king—on his own, no fuss, no drama. Very smart move, honestly. (We wish we could take a load off and ride in it). When they jokingly teased him about it, he just said, “Fine,” in the funniest little grown-man voice… then promptly tried to get up and climb out like he was second-guessing himself.
Without thinking, I said, “Stay in the cart. Don’t let nobody talk you out of your position.”
My sister turned to me and said, “Tan, that is a WORD.”
And it really is.
Where you know God has positioned you—stay there. Where He’s planted you—grow there. Where He’s pruning you—be still and surrender. Where He’s leading you—follow.
Don’t let fear, teasing, pressure, poor counsel, intimidation, jealousy, or even your own doubts talk you out of a place God has called you to occupy.
If God has you called you to it and has approved of you being in that position (job, ministry, assignment, time of service, alone for a season, whatever it may be…be still and know that He is God).
Don’t let anyone talk you out of your position. Period.
Writing has not only been a hobby of mine but a lifelong companion and confidant: helping me express myself, learn, and now encourage others. Writing allows us to be creative, tap into the recesses of our hearts, and map out the matters within. It gives us space to pour out — although not always seemingly smoothly and freely — the contents of our souls. Through writing, we find our voice. And for me, it’s not just me finding my voice but fulfilling a tentacle of my purpose.
I write to release, to be creative, to learn about the world around me, and more importantly, to encourage and teach others.
Writing is both an art form and a necessity — one that will never be replaced. Writers are essential. We write for speeches, television shows, movies, plays, songs, books, blog posts, research papers, advertisements, news articles, textbooks, obituaries, and so much more.
AI, And the Human Touch
But as the world evolves, so does technology. And its “baby,” AI, has now arrived, rapidly transforming the internet and our world. With a few prompts, one can use AI to produce a paper or even a book.
AI and technology certainly have benefits. They’ve decreased production time, simplified tasks, and brought vast amounts of information to our fingertips. However, the rapid growth and widespread use of AI can be concerning, especially since regulations around its use are still being defined. In the wrong hands, AI can blur the lines between real and fake, and without genuineness or integrity, people can be misled, manipulated, or even put at risk.
Let’s also be honest: many jobs have already been lost due to AI’s rise.
Still, AI is here. And as writers, we can continue to thrive, even in the midst of its rise. We can also use AI with intention and integrity.
Here’s how we can navigate AI as a writer:
Use AI tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming, research, or outlining your ideas.
Let it assist you with editing and tightening your writing.
Generate images to complement your writing projects.
Always fact-check the information AI provides.
Be transparent with your audience about the use of AI-generated content or images.
Cite your sources properly.
Keep your human voice strong and present — that’s your signature.
Remember: AI is a tool, not a replacement.
Freepik: wayhomestudio
To my fellow old-school writers: rest assured that our art form is not lost in the sauce. Keep writing. Keep enjoying the process: the one where you explore and untangle the contents of your heart. Where you take note of the world around you. Where you capture memories and moments. Where you blend words with joy, uniqueness, and creativity. Where you offer encouragement, truth, and hope.
In the dream I had last night, this is what I saw myself saying (I woke up and found my phone to immediately jot it down as it I believe it is encouragement from the Lord, so clock it):
High school may be the best years for some or the worst years for some. However, may you learn and not just academically what you need to learn, learn to pivot, and navigate storms with wisdom, courage, and God’s grace.
And I will add: May you grow and begin to build the foundations of your future. High school is just a small fraction of your life. Your world is and future will be much bigger than high school. And the best is yet to come. Be encouraged and finish strong. Find your safe, God-appointed tribe that Lavell Harris, my former student and speaker at one of my school sites’s recent graduation, says, “corrects you in private and celebrates you in public.” I pray you have the support, truth, and love to usher you into your God-given destiny. May you start and finish strong. May you not give up, and may you learn who God created you to be, in Jesus’ name, amen.
This is encouragement for our high school youth, and congratulations to the class of 2025 high school graduates!
It was a long-time bucket list item, and I’m elated to say—to God be the glory—I finished it.
I’ve always loved walking, especially ramping up my efforts during the fall and summer months. I enjoy hitting the nearby trails, taking in the beauty of nature, and clearing my mind. Although walking is a part of my daily routine—thanks to using public transportation—I also walk to support my mental health and to keep my legs and feet moving, especially given some of the physical issues I occasionally experience.
As the weather started to warm up, I began walking the trail more intentionally—often with my sister, who graciously joined me on a few Saturday mornings and afternoons. What started as casual walks soon turned into preparation for accomplishing a goal I didn’t know was just around the corner.
I started researching upcoming 5K walks in Chicago, and then—unexpectedly—the opportunity came to me. Recently, while visiting one of my loved one’s churches, they announced an upcoming Community Health Fest and 5K walk/run. My sister, who was sitting a few rows behind me, had someone tap me on the shoulder to get my attention. She pointed out that this was my chance—and I jumped on it.
Today, the day of the walk, I arrived on time and picked up my packet, which included a t-shirt, number, and route instructions. I was nervous but excited. The pastor led a prayer before we began, and then we were off.
As I walked the first lap, I started feeling pain in my left leg. I believe it was a spasm, but I pushed through—and thankfully, it went away. During the second lap, my Achilles heels started acting up, as they sometimes do, but I kept going. I had stretched the night before and again that morning, doing my best not to overdo it.
Also, during that first lap, I accidentally followed someone who went the wrong way—and maybe they did on purpose, I’m not sure. I wasn’t confident about the route. I glanced at the paper instructions and debated whether I should go straight. The facilitator had mentioned before the 5K walk began to go past the school. Still, I continued following the person ahead of me. On the second lap, however, I saw the pastor—who had been in the lead the entire time (and somehow I caught up to him!)—take the correct route. So, I followed his lead. When I reached the next checkpoint, a 5K team member was there cheering me on. All the workers posted along the route, encouraging us along the way, gave me the boost I needed.
To make sure I completed the full 5K—roughly 6,000 to 7,000 steps—I did a third lap, just to be safe. And I did it correctly.
I finished exhausted but full of joy. It was fun, and I’m so proud that I accomplished this small but meaningful milestone.
Tannika Nikeya 