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Nakiya Smith Devotional

     My name is Nakiya Smith and I am on staff here at Manna U wearing many hats. My favorite has been being a TA to the Destiny and Calling class (CLG 101).  Don’t tell my previous math and physics professors, but I love problem solving, other people’s problems that is. My most favorite thing in the world is being an Auntie.  When I’m not at Manna U I enjoy sampling food from various countries, working out and Latin dancing.

     This morning I went walking for exercise. When walking I like to keep my heart rate up. So once I get going, it’s unconventional for me to stop until my cool down. As I was walking on the sidewalk, I came across a large earth worm. In biology we were taught that earthworms help fertilize the ground. As they slither in the earth, they are helping fertilize and move around the soil. Earthworms also cannot see.They simply have light receptors. So I was taught that when an earthworm is on the sidewalk, one should place it back it back in the grass. Well, there’s no way I’m actually touching a living earth worm. So I decided to try to nudge the earthworm back into the grassy area. This proved to be more difficult than expected and quite time consuming. I had to nudge and nudge and the worm kept curling up and not wanting to move. Two minutes later, I finally got the earthworm into the grass. My heart rate was down, but I felt I did a good service to the yard of the neighbor.

     As I kept walking I thought about how this experience reminds me of the staff here at Manna U. I enjoy seeing faculty and staff nudge and nudge at and nurture the students, not only because we care, but because we see the potential of all of our students and know that you will play an important role in advancing The Kingdom. We are here to happily guide our students to good soil. This also reminds me of myself. I too have been an earthworm. Pretty lost, but following the Light. I have yet to receive hand written instructions on how to go through my day and which decisions to make, however I am reminded in Romans 15:4: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. I am reminded that I have scriptures that can nudge me through my dark and unsure times. I am also grateful that I too have had individuals (figuratively and literally) nudge me along my Christian walk to ensure I am staying in good soil.

     Romans 15:1,2: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

Be great!

Nakiya Smith

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