Four Degrees, One Family: Celebrating Our Unique Graduation Journey

     When we walked across that stage, we did not walk alone; the angels and our ancestors

were right there with us. This school year has been nothing short of remarkable. My husband

and I are both educators, serving in academia and the community. My husband, Rev. Dr. A.

Byron Coleman III has been a senior pastor in Oklahoma City for 26 years. Every Sunday, he

uses the pulpit to preach the gospel and inspire the congregation to dream bigger. I am a

trained podiatrist who transitioned to education, becoming an adjunct professor at the

University of Oklahoma in 2006 and recently secured a full-time lecturer position. Our two

sons have benefited from witnessing their parents' dedication to lifelong learning, leading

them to choose college after graduating high school.

Educating youth and resting on our laurels has never been enough for us. The more we learned about helping our community through education, the more we realized the need to continue our own learning journey. When I accepted my call to ministry, it became essential to expand my mind further, so I decided to go back to school. I chose Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to gain the knowledge to accompany my passion. While it was a departure from fixing soles, it aligned perfectly with healing souls. This foot doctor went back to school to pursue a higher calling.

Similarly, my husband preaches a socially relevant gospel every week, so when the opportunity to pursue a Doctorate of Ministry in Social Justice arose, he seized it. He openly admitted that he was uncertain about his academic writing abilities, as it was a significant departure from weekly sermon preparation. Nevertheless, he persevered.

Chandler, our oldest, graduated high school in 2018 and began his college journey at the University of Central Oklahoma. Then, in 2020, the pandemic hit, forcing him to switch entirely to online learning, which was particularly challenging for an extrovert. He admitted he wanted to quit because it was so difficult, but he persisted. During Courtland’s junior year of high school, he studied online from our living room, graduating in 2022 as the world was reemerging. To help him transition smoothly to college life while maintaining close family support, he decided that Oklahoma City Community College was the best choice.

None of us gave up! Throughout the 2023-24 school year, each of us continued reading books, writing papers, and studying. As we met with our advisors, we realized that we would all be graduating around the same time. On December 16, 2023, Chandler graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Media/Communications from the University of Central Oklahoma. Three months later, Byron defended his dissertation, “The Influence of the Black Church in Establishing Initiatives and Collaborations Aimed at Enhancing the Scholastic Achievement of Black Students.” On May 18, 2024, the remaining three Colemans graduated on the same day in three different cities. Byron graduated from New York Theological Seminary in New York City with a Doctorate of Ministry in Social Justice. Courtland earned an Associate of Arts in Diversified Studies from Oklahoma City Community College and will continue his education at Morehouse College in August. I graduated from Phillips Theological Seminary with a Master of Theological Studies. Because we were in three different cities, we couldn't attend each other’s graduation ceremonies, except for Chandler, who accompanied Byron and even hooded him during his ceremony. 

June 2, 2024, back in Oklahoma City,  at 5th Street Baptist Church, we dedicated the day to honoring graduates at every level: from Pre-K to college. It was an incredible honor to share this special day as a family. Dressed in our academic regalia, we recognized the uniqueness of our narrative. Our church members, family, and friends had the chance to witness firsthand God’s bountiful blessings and, hopefully, we serve as an inspiration to continue evolving, as you enjoy the journey. 

One Family, Four Degrees, Three Graduations, Same Day: Celebrating the Coleman Family’s remarkable graduation story.  To God be the Glory!

Exercising Discipline & Relying on Connection in 2024

 Happy New Year!

I am reminded of the sermon I preached just one-week ago during Watchnight Service at the church.  I exercised discipline yesterday, by not buying another pair of shoes and realized that I needed to share this to continually remind and encourage myself that I am on the right track.  Perhaps this will bless you as well as you aim to transform your life this year.

**********************************************

Have you ever found yourself stuck by limiting beliefs?

1. You do things the way that your Mama did things because of a limiting belief that her way is the only way for things to be done. 

2. You don’t apply for certain jobs or positions due to a limiting belief that someone like you can’t have it all. 

3. You never reach beyond your circle because of a limiting belief that you must act a particular way or just accept certain things.

4. You stop showing up for yourself because of one failure and now you're stuck in the limiting belief that you will never be any better or do bigger things.

5. You keep doing the same things, yet you’re perplexed that you keep getting the same results, because of a limiting belief that “this is how I’ve always done it…this is just me”

All limiting beliefs.

But imagine for a moment and ask yourself.... WHAT IF?

WHAT IF…you tried something new?

WHAT IF…you stepped out on faith?

WHAT IF…you started believing God for the impossible?

WHAT IF…you started believing in your own capabilities?

WHAT IF…you let go of the way things were and embraced the possibilities of how things could be?

WHAT IF… your unique skills and talents are exactly what the world needs to solve its pressing challenges?

WHAT IF… the setbacks you've faced are just stepping stones to a remarkable success story that inspires others?

WHAT IF…your potential is limitless, and the only thing holding you back is the belief that there are limits?

WHAT IF… every failure or mistake was an opportunity to learn and grow, bringing you closer to your true potential?

WHAT IF…

It was early in the morning and I was still lying in bed thinking and talking to the Lord. The word that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go was DISCIPLINE. Why this word? It didn't make sense that this word would arrest me as I lay there rubbing my tongue across my fresh braces. I'd only had braces for 2-3 weeks after wearing Invisalign for about 18 months. Invisalign had been recommended by the boys' orthodontist after I noticed a ridge on one of my teeth, indicating that I had been grinding my teeth in my sleep. Week after week, I would insert a different clear tray that would hold my teeth firmly and settle in by the next week when it was time to change to another tray.

Week after week this pattern continued, but no one really noticed that my smile had been slowly changing, because my teeth were quietly shifting. Slowly, with each new Invisalign tray, my childhood smile was changing. 

That smile from my 8th-grade graduation pictures in my off-white lacy dress and cat heel shoes was changing.

That smile from my high school graduation pics where I wore that yellow taffeta dress and had an asymmetrical hairstyle was changing.

That smile from my graduation from Spelman College with my Anita Baker haircut was changing.

That smile that beamed on my wedding day when I married my husband wearing microbraids was changing.

That smile that beamed in the yearly recreated picture of my boys kissing my cheeks was changing. Different hairstyles, same smile.

I finally recognized the shift when I took headshots, rocking a newly shaved head, my smile had really begun to change after months of wearing Invisalign.

I was pleased because I had wanted braces since I was a little girl, but my parents could not afford them. When I became an adult, I had this limiting belief that I was too old to change my teeth. (Honestly, the ONLY reason that I really pursued braces was that the ridge on one tooth reminded me of my mother who, by the time she died 10 years ago, had ground her teeth almost to the gum line. I did not want this to be my fate, so I decided to step out and make a change.)

After almost 2 years and several boxes of trays, the orthodontist suggested that we speed the process along because two of my teeth just wouldn’t budge.  I’d been doing the same thing and been in the process for months, but these two teeth just kept hiding and playing peek-a-boo behind the front teeth. With all the shifting, rotating, and correcting of the cross-bite, two of these teeth needed something more.

Lying in bed I was reminded of the scripture in Matthew 17:19-21 when the disciples were with Jesus ministering in the crowd and a man brought his son to Jesus. He said I brought my son before your disciples but they couldn’t heal him.  Jesus went  on to heal the young boy and when the family had gone on about their business, the disciples turned and asked Jesus “ Yo, why couldn’t we cast him out?”

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief [LIMITING BELIEF]; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 [f]However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting [DISCIPLINE]

And that’s what the Lord showed me early that morning, laying in bed, rubbing my tongue over the back of my teeth, realizing that one of the teeth that had been hiding for years was actually shifting. The teeth that had been playing peek-a-boo were getting bolder and coming to the forefront. Just as Jesus told his disciples that some things require DISCIPLINE to change, the Lord was showing me that it was the guidance of the metal wire, attached to the brackets that were providing the DISCIPLINE for my teeth to come out of hiding.

You see with the Invisalign, I made all the decisions. I took them out when I ate. I was able to remove them when I got tired of them and needed a break. Sometimes, I would remove them for a little while, but other times I would keep them out for hours, only putting them back on at night.

But something happened quickly when the orthodontist put those metal brackets in, along with the guide wire,…the shift was no longer determined by my will, but it was determined by that to which I was connected.

And that’s what God wants me to share with you as you enter 2024.  You’ve been hanging out long enough playing peek-a-boo and hide-n-seek with your gift, waiting for something to happen and God says with a little DISCIPLINE you will see your change come.

~Coming to church in the building and online, week after week…you are in the right place but not seeing any lasting effects. God says try a little DISCIPLINE in 2024 and stay connected to me.

~Giving an offering every week, yet not seeing any real changes or benefits. God says try a little DISCIPLINE in 2024 and stay connected to me...give me a full tithe, just 10% of what you make, and watch that loan officer come back with a different story next time, allowing you to purchase your home or that car.

~Studying in school, but the GPA is not where it needs to be. God says try a little DISCIPLINE in 2024 and stay connected to me talk to your professors and attend the study sessions.

~Desiring a promotion on the job God says try a little DISCIPLINE in 2024 and stay connected to me get there early, leave late, and make it so that the job can’t be done without you, then go in and negotiate your pay raise,

~You say Lord I know that you have more in store for me but I’m not quite sure what I should do God says try a little DISCIPLINE in 2024 and stay connected to me.

 Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. It's all about staying connected as the branches are connected to the vine. Your sustenance comes from the power in the vine. The vine is your lifeline for growth and strength. You only grow because you are connected. So stay connected!

Stay connected to the one who loves you.

Stay connected to the one who saved you.

Stay connected to the one who delivered you and watch the shift begin to happen. 

Stay connected to the one who transformed you and watch the shift begin to happen. 

Stay connected to the one who redeemed you and watch the shift begin to happen. 

Stay connected to the one who gives new life and watch the shift begin to happen. 

In 2024 as you approach your new beginning, try a little DISCIPLINE and stay connected.

Btw, the orthodontist projects that I will only need to wear these braces for about 3 months. Another sign that as soon you take all of the decisions out of your hands and begin to rely on help from a stronger source, your time can be expedited.

Lord, please expedite our blessings in 2024 as we exercise discipline and stay connected to you.

Now walk it out....