I am a branchthat grows from the vine.

My mission isto rise as high as I can, as long as Ican,

Bearing as much fruit as I can alongthe way.

No one can stop me because I am connected to the vine.

If you cut me, I’ll grow longer, stronger, and faster.

If you put something in my way, I’ll go over it, around it, sometimes

Even under it, or I’ll find a crack and go through it.

I’ll embrace every obstacle along the way,

Using each one as a rung on a ladder.

Every adversity gives me the strength I need to climb.

Every triumph gives me the courage and hunger I need

To prepare for the next level.

This is my destiny.  This is who I am.  For I was born to rise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I stand.

I stand for the under dog,

Those who’ve been counted out instead of counted in,

Excluded instead of included,

Discouraged instead of encouraged,

Told that you would never make it, take it, or be able to shake it.

I stand for the down trodden,

The oppressed, depressed, and suppressed,

The people that don’t have enough,

Aren’t smart enough or pretty enough,

Aren’t skinny enough or popular enough.

I stand for those who weren’t supposed to be here,

Those who weren’t supposed live,

Those who weren’t supposed to dance, sing, speak, or walk.

I stand for those who got knocked down,

Pushed aside, walked on, and run over.

I stand for the illegitimate, unexcused, and misunderstood,

I stand for the looked over and outright disregarded.

I stand for the cast out, cast away, underrated, and unappreciated.

I stand because I have feet that are firmly planted on something I believe in.

I stand because I have legs that have not buckled under the pressures of life.

I stand because I have a heart that won’t give up.

I stand because my arms are interlocked with others who also stand.

I stand because of my dream.

I stand because of the God who stands in me.

And so today I stand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special one, precious one, only one like you

Time to let the world see your life from God’s view

Time to put the past behind, let old things fade away

Time to let the world hear what the real you has to say

Time to put into action all the things you’ve learned

Time to follow through, get the blessings and returns

Time to put to test all the promises of God

Time to finally get what you’ve worked for so long and hard

So don’t waste anymore time, go forth into your destiny

Live, learn, love and grow into what God created you to be.