Looking Back

Even though it is never a good practice to live our lives in the past, it can be profitable for us to take some time and look back over our years and witness how God has blessed and protected us. Today is a special day for me and my family. Today, I finally became a college graduate. It was twenty-one years ago this month that I graduated from Cleburne County High School in Heflin, Alabama. On that night, I had every intention of finishing college in four years and coaching football for the rest of my life. However, that has not been the case.

After one semester at JSU, I got discouraged and decided to just get a job. I went to work and within one year was married to my high school sweetheart. After a few years of marriage, I began taking night classes at Gadsden State Community College in hopes of finishing my degree and getting my coaching career started. Those were my plans, but not God's plans. I had made a decision in March, 1986 that would forever alter my life. I answered the call of God on my life to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I always thought that God could use me to help lead young athletes to Christ as a coach. That was my plan, but not God's plan.

In October, 1993 (after serving over 2 years as a student pastor) God made it clear to me that He was calling me to pastor a local church. The next month, I became the pastor of Center West Baptist Church in Delta, Alabama. For the next five years God would shape me for a future that I never imagined. In August, 1998, God made another move in my life. He called me to move into a full-time ministry at Waco Baptist Church Waco, Georgia. In October of that year, I would move my family and sell our home relinquishing us of any ties to our hometown. During my seven years at Waco, God began to deal with me about competing my theological training. In October, 2002 God used Dr. Johnny Hunt to speak words of encouragement at a conference to begin that process. I enrolled at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (North GA Campus) in January, 2003. Over the next seven years God would allow me to complete 90 hours at New Orleans before transferring to Tennessee Temple University for the final 36 hours.

As I walked across the stage today, I thought of several people who God used to encourage me in this journey. I thought especially of two people who are in Heaven on this special day. I thought of my preaching professor, Dr. Stan Wilkins, who encouraged me to never give up regardless of the challenges. I also thought of my Aunt Marilyn Thompson who went home to be with the Lord 30 years ago this month. She was the first person I ever remember telling me that God really loves me. She was also the first college graduate from our family.

Then I thought about my family. My dear wife and children have sacrificed many hours as I read, typed papers and studied for exams. They are my heroes! Without Angie, Kaitlyn and Brooklyn I would never have had the strength to finish. Also, my dear church family at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Rome, Georgia. I could never have asked God for a more loving and supportive church family. Your love and prayers are much appreciated.

I often get asked, "If you could go back, would you change anything?" I guess we all would makes changes in our lives if we had the chance to relive them, but I would not take anything for the experiences that God used to shape my life. I am grateful that God didn't allow me to have it my way. I am glad that He is teaching me that the best way is His way.