Posts by The Endurer

Tony Briscoe is a spoken word artist and coach, a youth minister and mentor. He also does life poetic expression production for people that don't have a voice and desire to be heard. He was born and raised in Chicago and lives to serve young people, adults suffering from childhood pain, and a serious passion for God's daughters. He is....The Endurer.

Truth & Treason

It has become increasingly difficult to accept modern films or biographies at face value, especially those described as based on …

close up of cracks on glass

Cracked Mirror: A Broken America

Charlie Kirk was murdered in broad daylight
That’s not Republican or Democratic, it’s evil
And I can have empathy for one who didn’t believe in empathy
Because the day I don’t, I fear that I will become an empty me

Our Country, ‘This OHHH Thee…

As a child, watching Schoolhouse Rock, The Great American Melting Pot was a song I enjoyed every Saturday morning. It affirmed that diversity strengthens us despite everything Americans have been through. Whether our ancestors purchased a boat ticket to come here, were forcibly dragged here and enslaved under inhumane conditions, or were forced off their land down the Trail of Tears, we survived, stayed, and remained.

climate sign outside blur

It Begins

Say whatever you want about the President-Elect; he’s a marketing genius, and I stand by that. You can hate and ridicule me, but truth is truth. How else could a celebrity come in and take this nation by storm once again?

Forest

The trees give me oxygen, branches close in

Brisk

I saw a Fall breeze sweep a leaf into the airWatched it tossed to and fro aimlesslyThen it smiled, said …

Crevices

Fans the flame of regret, what could have been

VP Harris: The Struggle for Black Male Support

It’s a hard place because, for them, you’re not Black enough; you married someone white
You fell in love, not with a color, but with who for you was right
They say you’re not Black Black, a chameleon, when it is necessary
Maybe had you sat down with Ice Cube, opinions would vary

Knowing Her: Ruth E. George

As I pass by the memorial outside the SEO building, I offer a silent greeting to Ruth, wishing her a good morning or goodnight, knowing she can’t hear me but hoping somehow the sentiment reaches her.

A Moment of Transparency

My relationship with my mom is complicated, intricate, and I still show up when I am able. I don’t spend a lot of time talking about others household because my

We Went

We went to school todayAlgebraNever knew what was being calculatedA formula to snuff out our livesNo square roots just blood …

God Over Money | Bizzle’s Bamboozled

I’mma kill a n*gga
I’mma kill a J*w
One of those are wrong
One of those are cool
One of these will get a rich Black man canceled
The other one will put a new Grammy on his mantel

Resistance

Resistance is subtle. It will come in the appearance of those who support you

College Bound

Empty Nest

Your mom called your name at home
Expecting you to reply
Forgetting that which came from her womb was away
I almost asked her when you were coming home
I caught myself daydreaming
A mirage of your essence lingers

Dad

Life came out today
In the worst way
Voice raised, daughter crying
Wife pleading
No heeding to anyone

Hit 100, wreckless, gone
Chest burning, on fire
Called by homie, got corrected
Sent text, got prayer

What profits a person from gaining the world and losing their spouse? Ok, that’s not the scripture.

I was in Dallas last week, facilitating a cybersecurity leadership panel. I asked the panelist about the challenges of providing for their families and balancing the demands of work-related obligations. One told the story of a retirement party he attended for an executive with over 30+ years in business. “What’s next for you now that you’re retiring? asked a panelist.” He responded, “I’ll have to see if my wife still loves me.” He noted a seriousness in his voice.

People who know me know I run hard. I had to learn to run hard for my family (and I’m still learning). Life after 50, college tuition coming, shaky savings, bad investments, economic turndowns, you name it, the saints have experienced it. While running hard, forgetting our family and relationship with JAH (God) is easy. I have to remind myself that He is the Provider. I then battle with Adam’s punishment, being condemned to work by the sweat of his brow. I wrestle with being worse than an infidel for not caring for my family. All those “I’s” must be replaced daily with “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” That leads to the role of the Lord as Shepherd and how He cares for us.

I recall some of the most powerful words from my daughter when I was called upon to do something that would take me away from my family. “Just call Tony Briscoe because he’ll say yes no matter what his family needs.” Talk about a blow to my heart. I was present for others but not for the one who needed me the most. So, pray for me because it’s time to check-in, and I have to ask what I can do better as a father. What about being a better husband? Hey, one step at a time, ok? 🙂

  • I have made more games than I missed
  • I will not neglect my family for work
  • I know what it means to be a provider, my child taught me what it means to be present

Life won’t stop happening. The panelist vowed on the day of his interaction with the retiree, “I will never let my wife or children suffer by me not being present.” May we also be direct, working wife and/or working husband, working wife and husband, vowing never to forget our families. We must lean on the Lord, from whom all blessings flow, to help put the right people in our lives to help us with our financial planning, child-rearing (it still takes a village), professional and personal development, and our Christian walk.