alijah

@alijahws

a year ago

Posted On: August 3rd 2025, 12:30 am

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of my dad’s passing, and I’ve been reflecting on the past year and how many blessings God spoke into my existence.

I think a lot about how broken I was upon first hearing that he passed. I didn’t have a super close relationship with him, but he was my father. He was someone I used to look up to, and he ultimately helped conceive me. I hadn’t talked to him since my earlier teens, but I knew I eventually wanted to reach out to him.
But I also think about how many ways I was blessed at that exact moment in time. I had the best summer of my life being involved with my new church and connecting with amazing friends. It was the weekend before my senior year started, and my best friend’s grad party was today. With so many of my blessings, I knew I could not fold under grief, for the Lord had so many plans in me to stay strong and be a light to my friends, my classmates, and my family.
I had an unshakable joy my senior year, and my faith grew exponentially in ways I couldn’t have previously fathomed. I decided to go on my first mission trip, to Shiloh NYC.
Blessed be the amazing kids there, who did not know the Lord but seeked to understand Him. I had a great time with them, and also getting closer to my friends on my mission team.
The string around my wrist was given to a kid, Logan, who told me: “No matter what we said to him, you always had a smile on your face and I can tell you are a great guy.”
I just love those words, not to feed an ego, but to know the joy that the Lord has shined and poured outside of me and that other people take notice.

I encourage all to know the Lord and His power. His grace, His mercy, His kindness. His wrath and His peace. It’s changed my life, and I would love to be a personal advocate and testifier of the mountains He moves.
Blessed be the Lord!!

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬, ‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Comments (61)

a year ago

drake_zun

Alijah! I had no idea. You are an exceptional young man. Your friends’ faces brighten when you step into the room. I’ve seen it. You show up with that extra positivity and what seems to be a fearless attitude when it comes to being goofy and having fun. It’s obvious your friends love being around you. I would imagine the party gets quieter when you leave. Why am I saying all this? Several reasons. 1. Because I am impressed with the young man you are yet had no idea of your hurdles. 2. Because a lot of people would withdraw and even turn away from God if they walked a mile in your shoes, but you glorify Him and display your genuine love for Him without even trying. 3. To put you on blast. You’re an example to everyone who knows struggle. You know real struggle yet your presence is larger than life to all who know you… Why is that? Because you know Jesus personally and you value that relationship. 4. Because I believe you have been chosen to naturally inspire others to move nearer to God. 5. To tell you I am really glad you have your friend circle and your circle has you. But, lastly to say, “Well done, Son. Keep at it.” I know that doesn’t ring the same as if it were coming from your dad, but I am A dad who is exceptionally proud of his daughter as well as her love for the Lord. If I were no longer here when she is needing to feel seen… is deserving to feel seen… if I can no longer say to her, “Well done,” I pray another dad who understands and is genuinely impressed with her accomplishments and the path she is on will tell her and encourage her to continue on because that encouragement should never stop. So, well done, Alijah. I see you. Everyone who is blessed with knowing you sees you. Your dad would be so proud of your perseverance, the man you already are, and the man you will continue becoming. If you ever need anything, let me know. I gotchu. Bet.

a year ago

virginia_e_clements

Alijah you have blessed the lives of so many people. I’m so privileged to have you as a friend because you have been nothing but encouraging ever since I got to know you. I’m so thankful for you and your servant heart! You are so dearly loved and chosen by God!