Shareka’s Strength

01 Mar Shareka’s Strength

Last week in Charlotte we experienced high winds and lost massive old oak trees. Uprooted from the earth.  Today, as a city, we have moved on rebuilt and learned from the storm.  This event reminded me of my new friend Shareka who I am introducing you to today.

Shareka’s fearless strength reminds me of an old oak tree, despite the fact she’s only 25 years old. Shareka has experienced unthinkable hardships (and fierce ‘winds’) but she is beyond determined to stay rooted and provide stability for her family. Regardless of the fact that some of her more shallow roots have been exposed, her deep roots are growing in strength and being nurtured via A CHILDS PLACE, Salvation Army of Hope and Urban League.  Hear her story and learn about her journey.

The Oak Tree

by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

It stole the oak tree’s leaves away

Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark

Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground

While other trees fell all around

The weary wind gave up and spoke.

How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you

Can break each branch of mine in two

Carry every leaf away

Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth

Growing stronger since my birth

You’ll never touch them, for you see

They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn’t sure

Of just how much I could endure

But now I’ve found, with thanks to you

I’m stronger than I ever knew