Turning Point

May 15, 1974 was a turning point in my life. That Wednesday literally changed not only the summer of my seventh year, but when combined with the day and weeks that followed played a major impact on making me who I am. The anniversary of that day came and went this past Friday, I spent a few moments reflecting on that day. I wanted to share my reflections with you.

That mid-week day started out like any other school day. My brother, Doug, and I finished our breakfast (either cereal or a pop-tart along with a glass of milk or juice) and headed out the door. Mom stayed at the house taking care of my baby brother, so we walked as we did everyday to wait for our ride to school. Coach Rick Bird was our ride to school. Rick was the preacher's son and was soon to marry one of my Bible Class teachers at church, they had asked me to be their ring bearer.

Two weeks of school remained before summer break. That summer had great promise. We were going to travel out West, we were going to see the Grand Canyon and maybe California. We had even talked about an excursion into the southern part of Canada. We were also getting a Color TV! Summer was beckoning, but we had to endure the last few days of school before all those magical moments of Summer could come true.

While we waited for Coach Bird, we played our usual games: floating leaves in the street gutters, bouncing loose road gravel down the road or splashing them in a puddle, or watching ants scurry to work to rebuild a foot-sized section of their anthill. Doug was looking for something to float or toss when he found a treasure – a steel ring – not a shower curtain ring mind you, this was one solid piece that rang when you dropped in on the concrete curb. After investigating it, he asked if I wanted it. The ring was cool, but if Doug who was 5 years older and a wise 13 year old wanted it, I was not going to fight him for it (at least not before school). I said, “No.”

What happened next set up a chain of events that neither Doug nor I will ever forget. He decided that the ring was of little value and checked out its aerodynamics by tossing it as far as he could across the road into the yard on the other side. I could not believe he did not want such I treasure! Now I wanted it. After a short altercation on the seemingly invalid point of my originally not wanting it, Doug said, “If you want it that bad, go get it!' I did. I looked both ways, crossed the road and went after my treasure. After looking and not seeing it, I looked at my brother for help. He said something about going to miss our ride, so I started back across the road. Here is where my memory gets a little fuzzy I recall this in slow motion. I looked to the left – no cars. I looked to the right – two cars, the last a little red hatchback. I took off, forgetting to look back to the left. That was my mistake. A mistake that would change my summer, my family's summer, and ultimately much of my life.

To be continued . . . tune in tomorrow.

Scott

Pomp and Circumstance

May 1985, I was where three of our young people here at Parrish are in their lives. Like Jenny, Heather, and Dakota, I was about to walk across a stage and receive that piece of paper I spent my life working for. I had plans, I had dreams, and some of them came about.

I would finish the summer as a steak cook and apprentice butcher, mow a few yards for extra cash, spend some time with fellow graduates, then it was off to Montgomery, Alabama to begin college at Faulkner University. There I would sing in the chorus on scholarship and learn how to become a preacher from men like Wendell Winkler, Carl Cheatham, Eris Benson, Ken Randolph, Leonard Johnson, Donnie Hilliard, Levi Sides, and others.

Overall things turned out great for me. There were a few speed bumps and pot-holes in the road to here, and I had to attend the UHK as well (University of Hard Knocks) to get where I am now, but I have no real complaints.

Now, twenty-four years later -- I cannot fathom (or I refuse to fathom) that I am old enough to say that -- I am married to a wonderful woman (Amy, the love of my life and my bride of 20 years this August). We have a bright, talented, 11 year old young Christian man for a son (can you tell I am proud of him). We work and worship with a great group of like-minded folk at Parrish Church of Christ (10 years this July!), and we live in a great small town where people still seem to care about each other. I knew that May in 1985 that life held great things for me, life has proven that true. I look forward to what the next quarter of a century brings.

Beyond that, I look forward to the day we all graduate from this physical life and enter eternity with God in heaven. I hope to see you there. Do you think we will get to throw our hats in the air when He says, "Welcome home, my child, enter in!"? I know I will want too.

Scott