A Counter for the Sophomore Jinx

Hey, Y’all!

So, this evening in the cafeteria, I had a real deep conversation with my peeps Ruby and Theo. The topic for discussion was something known as a sophomore jinx. As usual, Theo and Ruby talked at length about the term while I listened intently. I didn’t join in on the conversation until I had done my research, so while Ruby and Theo chatted it up, I decided to go ahead and look up that all-too-familiar term on my laptop. I received one definition from Wikipedia, which stated that a sophomore jinx is also known as a “sophomore slump.” No matter the term that one uses, they both refer to an instance in which a second effort fails to live up to the standards of the first effort. Some examples of a sophomore jinx refer to the best of athletes, singers, and television shows, but y’all could only imagine my surprise when I learned that a sophomore jinx is also used to describe the lack of enthusiasm from high school and/or college students.

Well, after having done my research, I finally weighed in on the conversation… and come to think of it, I remember posting a blog sometime last year in which I questioned if I could top my very own success. Of course, when I posted that particular blog, I was talking about a class that I absolutely loved. Well, here we are now—same question, different scenario. I talked to Ruby and Theo at length about my fear of suffering from the sophomore jinx. My freshman year far exceeded my own expectations, let alone the expectations of my family. I told Ruby and Theo that I have set such high standards for myself that I just refuse to be a victim of the sophomore jinx.

And then it hit me!

As I was talking, I could hear the song “Trust Me” by Richard Smallwood playing through my mind. While I meditated on that song, Ruby reminded me of a blog that I had post around this time last year, simply entitled “I Trust Him!” She then reminded me of how I listen to “Trust Me” at least once a day, and four times on Sunday. It was then that I thought about the most profound words to that song:

“I am that I am. I have all power.

I will deliver, if you will only trust me.

Trust me—trust me!”

Thank God for the constant reminders that He is always with me. It’s always reassuring to know that He will never leave me, and that He will fight all my battles, so long as I trust Him.

And then, too, when you’re a true child of God, there ain’t no such thing as a sophomore jinx. Besides, every one of us has a season, so that so-called slump could be a time to rest and rejuvenate myself.

Well, y’all—I had better close this here post, but as always, I thank y’all for tuning in and listening to a sista. Until tomorrow, y’all take care, and remember: Trust Him!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Looking Into the Psalms

Hi, Everyone!

So, per the directive and instructions of my Biblical Studies instructor, I have been working on writing about a particular number in the book of Psalms. The only caveat is that I cannot use Psalm 23; according to my instructor, everybody and their mama recites that particular psalm so much that the whole world knows it by heart. Well, last night, I was led to read Psalm 125. The first verse says: “They that trust in The Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth forever.”

Now, as I meditated on that very first verse alone, I had to ask the proverbial question: “What does it mean to trust in The Lord?” In asking that question, a good example was brought to my attention: Here I am, a bright-eyed native Los Angeleno who is currently—and temporarily—residing in Holly Springs, Mississippi. With the exception of an extended family in Memphis and Nashville, I do not know anyone out here within close proximity of me. Well, I was then taken back to my very first night here at Rust—just last year, if you will. I was in my dorm room all by myself, crying something serious. I may have mentioned once or twice that I was some kinda homesick, but as heartbroken as I was, the only thing I could do was drop to my knees and start praying. I didn’t really say much in my prayer, either; all I said was: “Lord, I’m scared.”

And of course, the next morning, I woke up to a brand-new day, although my eyes were some kinda swollen from crying. Nevertheless, that one simple prayer to God produced big results. Not only did God help me through my first year away from home, but He also blessed me with a brand-new family within close range—the Hudspeths.

By the way: I did in fact use this example in my paper. I also went the distance and provided other Bible verses to coincide with Psalm 125. For instance, Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to fully trust in The Lord and not our own understanding… oh, yeah—I reads my Bible, y’all! I may not go to church every Sunday while I’m out here in the Bible Belt (yeah, I admit it), but I do know that I do reads my Bible, Baby! Hahahaha!

Oh, well—it’s time to close this blog and get ready for my 6pm class. I’ll holla at y’all tomorrow.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

I Trust Him!

Hi, Everyone!

I’m still on the grind, y’all!

I’ve been studying since nine o’clock this morning (Mississippi time, of course). I only took a break on account of it’s almost lunchtime. I’ll be back on it at around 1:30 p.m. CST, but afterward I’m taking another break just to give my mind a rest, so to speak. I think I’ll walk around the track for about an hour and recite what I’ve learned.

You know, as I was studying for my African Diaspora final, I started thinking about that song “Trust Me” by Richard Smallwood. The lyrics to that song are so powerful and motivating, and considering my college life in another state, that song has become my personal testimony. Whenever I listen to “Trust Me,” I just imagine that God is constantly reminding me to trust Him in every aspect of my life. Coincidentally enough, that was the last song that my church sang for our summer musical, hours before I left for Rust. That song has stuck with me since then, and every now and again, I catch myself singing that very song. I guess you can say that it has indeed become my personal testimony.

Well, I had better get back to studying… actually, I better take my walk around the track to clear my mind (for lack of a better term), and then get back to hittin’ the books. I’m pretty much done studying for African Diaspora—I’m gonna challenge myself to study that doggone College Algebra, and then I’ll study for my obvious favorite: Grammar & Composition.

With that said, I leave you with the most profound words to that Richard Smallwood song that I love so much:

“I am that I am.

I have all power.

I will deliver,

If you will only trust me.

Trust me—trust me!”

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha