It took me a while to actually come around to type this up because believe it or not I can be an emotional person at times. So here we go…. Sometimes life has a funny way of unfolding. When I listened to Kirk Franklin’s speech at the 2025 BET Awards, his words “It doesn’t make sense,” really resonated with me. It was as if he was speaking directly to my soul, reminding me of my own journey and how I ended up where I am today. I posted the video below, give it a listen…
Growing up, I faced a lot of challenges. Reading, writing, and math didn’t come easily to me, and it was tough to see a future where I’d be thriving. My mom always pushed for me, and I had amazing teachers and coaches who believed in me, but at times, I struggled with depression and self doubt. It didn’t make sense that I would one day become a firefighter, a father, and someone who others look up to.
The journey into firefighting wasn’t something I planned. In high school there was a table set up for students interested in becoming firefighter explorers. I remember signing up without much thought, but one of the recruiters put a star by my name. He saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself. Out of hundreds of kids, only a handful of us made it into the program. It didn’t make sense, but it was the start of something incredible.
Now, as I look back, I’m amazed at where I am. I’m not perfect, none of us are…..but I’ve learned that sometimes the most meaningful paths are the ones we never expected to take. Kirk Franklin’s words remind me to embrace the journey, to have faith in God, and to understand that even when life doesn’t make sense, there’s a purpose behind it all.
I hope that by sharing my story, it inspires anyone reading this to keep pushing forward. No matter where you start, no matter how many challenges you face, there’s always a way forward. And sometimes, the most unexpected paths lead to the most fulfilling destinations. Here is his speech below
