It is always exciting to see a child begin to develop into adulthood. Sometimes the development is subtle, and other times it is quite astounding. When we see the signs we are grateful to be Christian parents that have taught our children well.
Ariana Hinkle is just such a young woman. Her church members have watched her grow since her dad Timothy Hinkle took over as pastor of Victory Tabernacle Church here in Sacramento, California. They have watched her become a young lady that they can proudly call friend and sister in the Lord.
Two years ago, Ariana’s teacher gave an assignment. The assignment was to write a poem about anything that the student felt passionate about. Ariana had just heard about Rosa Parks (February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) and the great bus boycott that ensued following her refusal to move to the back of the bus in order to give her seat to a white passenger in 1955. The story stirred Ariana, who had been taught that “all men are created equal” and had never experienced racial prejudice. Ariana was so amazed at the courage of this woman, and outraged that at one time, people with different skin were forced to move to the back of the bus to make room for white people. So, she decided to write about it.
A Poem Dedicated To Rosa Parks
By Ariana Marie Pearl May Hinkle
Watching the bus float back and forth
Hearing the elders shouting and yelling
Poor Rosa Parks suffered and scarred
For one little seat she wanted up front
She stood up and fought
For justice she thought
But then she got jail time
Locked up in a stall
She sat there and thought
Of things that went wrong
And why she was there
Instead of elsewhere
The more that she thought
The more that they fought
She had begun the great bus boycott
Others joined in
The fight she had started that night
They stayed off the bus
And caused such a fuss
Authorities thought
Give up they must
New laws were passed
They had to act fast
Justice for all—at last!
This is an excellent example of how bringing your children up in the Lord will teach values and bring honor to Him. Ariana has grown in the Lord even more in the last two years since she penned this tribute.
Parents be encouraged when times are tough, when teens are teens, and when all seems hopeless, that you are on the right track and the day will come when your child will also shine in their gifts as Ariana has done here.
Photos submitted by Pastor Timothy Hinkle are clockwise: Ariana Hinkle; Rosa Parks in front of the bus; Rosa Parks being booked; Rosa Parks with President Clinton; Rosa Parks’s mug shot; and Ariana with her dad Pastor Timothy Hinkle.
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Comments are welcome; please share how your child is shining in their walk with the Lord.
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