As I reflect on my life, I can’t help but to acknowledge the two greatest foundations in my life, God and Family. As I witness the continued erosion in our society of spiritual and family values, it reinforces my gratitude for having these two foundations in my life.

God through his son Jesus Christ, has been a calm presence and protector in my life. Growing up in the City of Compton (California) in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I remember a wonderful childhood experience. l recall playing outside with my friends everyday without a care in the world. Playing Little League Baseball at Victory Park or Pop Warner Football for Compton. The youth were united through sports activities. However, when I entered high school in 1984, something changed, something happened. Crack Cocaine hit the streets and the City of Compton and every other inner-city and urban center throughout the nation has never been the same.

Danger was a constant presence because of crack; causing the same kids who played Pop Warner Football and Little League Baseball to gang bang against and even murder one another. Drive-by shootings became a weekly occurrence. It seems like every month someone got killed on the streets because of this drug. To this day every black young man is on high alert, looking over his shoulder, when he leaves home, not knowing if he might be mistaken for someone else in the continuing drug and gang war. In my youth I grew tired of attending funerals. I went to so many funerals, it is hard for me to cry, even to this very day.

God kept me through all of the chaos, pain, loss of friends and classmates to drugs and violence. God has kept me from the allure of fast money and slanging (selling) dope. I thank you Heavenly Father for keeping me.

My family is a blessing from God. My family is large and consist of many people; my wife, children, mother, sister, brother, cousins, aunties and uncles. When the holiday season is upon us, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, my family shows up and shows out in a big and positive way. All of our family gatherings consist of 100 people minimum, including children. You would think with so many people there would be chaos, arguing and fighting. I am pleased to report for my family and so many other families like mine, it is very much the opposite. The foundation of my of family is in God through his son, Jesus Christ and Love. All of our family functions are filled with great portions of love, laughter, forgiveness and delicious food. Of course we got the oldies bumping in the background to complete the picture.

Imagine the type of society we would have if everyone had God and family as their foundations.


Robert J. Johnson
Guest Blogger
ReelUrbanNews.com