Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, June 11, 2021.

In Week 24 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Mother Martha Vaughn.

Pastor Jones, Rev. Moore and I are bidding farewell to congregants leaving the sanctuary after Sunday's worship service. Mother Vaughn walks toward us leisurely but deliberately. She looks up to me with a grin that's just short of a smile, moves her left hand slowly past my side and rests her arm around my back. As I place my arm across her shoulders she says to me, "You're getting fat!" The vestibule bursts into laughter.

From the first day I step foot in Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Mother Vaughn has been a fixture more familiar to me than the wood paneling that adorned the bottom half of the church walls. She sat faithfully at the end of the second-to-last row of the Mother's pews. Mother Vaughn was at an age of experience, having seen and endured more than most, that earned her the right to speak matter-of-factly. And, speak matter-of-factly she did.

When ministers would attempt to preach whom had not adequately studied or prepared, as a seasoned student and teacher of the Bible, she'd readily discern it and would subtly register her objection by quietly leaving the sanctuary. It was the unspoken test of every minister who has come through Ebenezer and was keen enough to know they were being proved.

Mother Vaughn would vocally register her objections as well. As she gripped the back of the pew in front of her to steady her as she slowly took her stand, some would groan in anticipation of the remarks that were forthcoming. But she was a woman who had faced the scourge of segregation head on and who not only achieved an education (a bachelors and masters) in the midst of it, but purposed in herself to provide an education to others and for four decades taught through it. So, she was not one to shrink back from curled lips and furrowed brows. When Mother Vaughn saw a problem, she spoke on it. Her common refrain was, "Where are the children?"

To the very end Mother Vaugh was a teacher. Her concern was firmly set on the youth -having them in church and them being taught. She believed that was key to a successful life, church and community. Proverbs 13:24 say, "He who withholds correction hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly." Even though correction is not often what we want to hear, Mother Vaughn did not withhold it. Whether she was telling me to watch my weight or how we needed to parent better, she did it in love, she did it for our good and provided opportunity to correct a potentially destructive course. I'm thankful. #52WoG

Note: I just learned that Mother Vaughn transitioned to her eternal home. I am grieved to hear she is no longer with us and am sorry we were not able to participate in the celebration of her life. Our heart is with her relatives and our Greater Ebenezer Church family. We love you, Mother Vaughn.
-Paul and Melissa Luckett.

Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, June 4, 2021.

In Week 23 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Dr. James Harold Smith.

As I prepare to lead communion this Sunday, I consult my handy Star Book for Ministers. Though I've led or participated in this sacrament many times to the point of memorization, I find comfort in the book's compact form, its sturdy binding and text that is carefully culled to be appropriate for every occasion. It has been a faithful companion to my Bible for nearly 20 years.

If my house were on fire and my family were safely outside, there are only three earthly possessions I'd dare to brave the fire to save: my Bible given to me by Pastor Gregory Jones (which contains a bookmark made for me by my son), paintings made for me by my by boys Chris, Devin and Roman, and this Star Book for Ministers given to me by Dr. James Smith.

Most people know Dr. Smith by his long and decorated career as an educator and administrator with Oktibbeha County and Starkville School Districts. But, I knew him as a deacon and a faithful steward of the finances of Greater Ebenezer M.B. Church. Dr. Smith was kind, a man of few words but the words he spoke carried weight. I remember after I was confirmed and had delivered my first sermon, Dr. Smith walked up to me, put this book in my hand and said, "God bless you, Reverend."

This gift from he and Mrs. Smith has been a faithful companion for many the funeral, wedding, communion and baptism. It is a gift that helped and equipped a young minister to be prepared for every good work. My ministry -who I am is made possible by the grace of God manifest through the kindness and investments of people like Dr. James Harold Smith. I'm grateful. #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

In Week 20 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Dr. Bridget Plair and PEP Connections.

When I left corporate IT in the late 90s to start a technology services company of my own, I operated under business names like Luckett Technologies, Lutekk and Hometekk. But, none of these names felt like "it". My startup capital at the time was a toolbox with a few tools of the trade, a hope and prayer. With no money for advertising, word of mouth would be critical to growing the business. I needed a name that was catchy, easy to remember and clearly conveyed the services I offered.

I started out doing mostly home computer repair (back when computers had components you could service), until one day my roommate, Delloyd Cannon, introduced me to his cousin, Dr. Bridget Plair who owned the daycare, PEP Connections. Thinking back, to call her business a daycare is a gross understatement. Dr. Plair was an enterprising woman with a grand vision. She was always and I mean always looking to expand. And, Dr. Plair was also constantly looking for people she could grow and bring along for the journey.

A question that characterized my conversations with Dr. Plair was, "What else can you do?" Her growth oriented mindset constantly demanded the same from me. At a time when dial-up was still the most prevalent Internet connection and Ethernet was a relatively a new thing, Dr. Plair keenly saw the technology as infrastructure she could use to scale her business. She became the first client I installed an Ethernet network for. Not long after, she had me implement a paperless, touch-screen system on the network where parents could check in/out their children, receive important notices and even review their bill. Shortly after that, she opened a new administrative offices building and tasked me with connecting the networks of the two facilities over a VPN. The way technology has evolved over time makes many of these tasks childsplay today, but in the age before Wi-Fi, they were challenges that grew me tremendously as an I.T. professional.

Besides being someone who continually pushed me to explore my capabilities, Dr. Plair and her staff were a joy. Her office was a place that I looked forward to going. One day as I was entering the building, the children cheerfully and in unison greeted me, "Hey, Mr. Computer Man!" And, that became the name of my business for more than a decade.

My business flourished under the name Mr. Computer Man. I went on to secure contracts from companies like Wal-mart, Countrywide Home Loans and AmeriPrise Financial. But, many of the services my business provides to this day were originally developed at PEP Connections and due to Dr. Plair's investment in me. It would be more than fair to say that Dr. Plair's vision, example and guidance as a business woman made my business what it is today and I'm grateful. #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

In Week 18 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for my brother Nehemiah Luckett.

Nehemiah Luckett brings joy wherever he goes.

There's a group of thirty to forty family and friends that have come together to throw a surprise birthday party for our beloved mother Rose Luckett. Babalu's in Jackson, Mississippi is an intimate space that always hopping, so the chatter, occasional squeals and laughter of our group do little to affect the regular noise level of the restaurant. The cake is being brought out and everyone is ready to engage in the usual fare of singing "Happy Birthday To You", when suddenly, Nehemiah lights a sparkler and begins to belt out a full-throated and joyous rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday".

He dances in place, claps his hands, throws back his head and blankets the entire restaurant with the warmth of the melody. In moments, the people from the other tables are joining in, the people from the bar are singing and the staff and cooks in the kitchen are dancing. Nehemiah transforms the moment into one that everyone can share.

That is his M.O.. Nehemiah uses his gift of music and every possible occasion to bring people together and to create shared spaces of compassion and celebration. I could go on about his performances internationally, about his awards, how his work has been featured on NPR and The New York Times but this is his legacy, the signature of his life: Nehemiah Luckett brings joy wherever he goes.

I can attest that Nehemiah has been this way his entire life. He is always kind. He is, as my mentor Dr. Gregory Jones would often say, "better by nature than I am by practice."

Nehemiah Luckett is my brother and a beautiful human being. I'm grateful. #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, April 23, 2021.

In Week 17 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for an unknown black man.

Yesterday, I attended a town hall meeting that was in response to a shooting in one of our community's parks. Though I was saddened by the event, I was encouraged by how, in the midst of intense emotion, our community came together to discuss the matter respectfully and peaceably. Though there's a lot we still have to work through, it was a testament to our leadership and the spirit of our community.

But the highlight for me, was learning of a black man that has been taking it up on himself, not only to mentor young men that come to the basketball courts in McKee park, but working to keep the area safe -sometimes de-escalating situations through compassion and mutual respect and other times standing between our youth and potential wrong-doers. In this most recent case, he had already left the courts for the day and unfortunately was not there to potentially prevent it. Nevertheless, his work speaks volumes about the difference a present, caring and intentional man makes in his community.

His act brings to mind for me Matthew 13:31-32, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."

His goodwill sown in work effects the lives of many, even people he didn't expect -like me. And, if a tree is bearing good fruit, it seems to me that we should be careful to nurture it and ensure it has everything it needs: sunlight (acknowledgement and celebration), water (material resources) and good soil (community support).

If anyone happens to know who this gentleman is, I'd greatly appreciate you sharing his name as I'd like to bless what he's doing.

Until then, unknown black man, I salute you. And, I'm grateful for you. #52WoG

EDIT 04/23/2021 05:06 PM: Thanks to Mayor Lynn Spruill the hero of this epic has been identified. His name is Mr. Tytus Brown. Please join me in celebrating and supporting his great work.

Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, April 18, 2021.

In Week 16 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Ms. Margaret Brown.

Of all of the wonderful things the staff and volunteers of the Friends of J L King – The J. L. King Center does for the community, the greatest is love. And, no one gives more of that than Margaret Brown.

Margaret Brown is not just the Youth Development Director at the J.L. King Center, she is the mother of the center. I was visiting a class on campus where college students were giving a presentation on a community organization where they chose to volunteer. A young lady reported on the J.L. King Center. She said, "The Center feels a lot like a family. There's this short lady who reminds me of my mom. You better be doing what you're supposed to or she'll fuss at you!" I have seen this first hand. In everything she does, it is clear that she cares deeply for the young people that we serve and treats them as her own.

My mentor and dear friend, Dr. Gregory Jones would often say, "To truly teach, you must first love. Because no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care."

Ms. Margaret Brown makes much of what the J.L. King Center does possible because it's built on the care expressed through her love. I'm grateful. #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, April 9, 2021.

In Week 15 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Devin Mabry.

When we say "our boys", that means Chris, Devin and Roman. Though Chris and Roman are our only living biological children, the blessing of our extended family is that we get to have many children through nieces, nephews and little cousins. And, my nephew Devin is a son to me.

One of the things our entire family has eagerly awaited every year for the past 13 years, is Devin coming to spend the summer with us. He is the perfect middle child, 2 years older than our youngest and 2 years younger than our oldest. The result is shenanigans that always involve three guilty parties!

Devin has been a bridge for our family. His kindness, consideration, humility and fun personality bring out the best in everyone. Fun fact: our youngest, Roman, was nearly two years old and was not speaking. He was clearly intelligent but was so introverted that his mother and I considered having him tested for autism. But the first summer Devin spent with us, he became fast friends with Roman, coaxing him out of his shell and helping him develop socially. That summer, Devin had Roman talking and he's not been quiet since.

Every year, Devin is putting our family on something new. When he leaves, we always have some new word or phrase in our vocabulary. I hesitate to say he's a comedian because it implies that he does things to be funny but funny is just his natural state. It's hard not to smile when Devin is around. He's brought such joy to our lives.

The most wonderful part has been watching Devin grow. Underneath the mirth, there's a tumultuous undercurrent that runs deep. Behind his eyes, I see him wrestling with issues of the day and finding his way as a young black man. I am repeatedly impressed to see him struggle only to come out more resolved to do something to make things around him better. He's smart, humble, hardworking and eager to help. He's constantly thinking about the needs of those around him. In fact, for these last couple of years he's ditched us because he has a new baby sister and he wanted to be around for her.

I'm not mad. Though I'd steal him if I could, I'm glad he's continually being a blessing to those that need him most.

I'm grateful to have him in my life. Devin Mabry, I'm proud of you and I love you. #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Thursday, April 1, 2021.

In Week 14 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Lynn Spruill.

We're as different as night and day:

I'm male, she's female.
She's white, I'm black.
I lean conservative, she does not.
I'm Christian, she's doesn't identify as such but ironically I've had more theologically substantive conversations with her than with 90% of the self-proclaimed Christians I know.
But, most importantly she's a remarkable human being.

Lynn Spruill is my friend.

Not friend in the hanging out or chatting it up everyday sense (because honestly, I'm a hermit), but friend as in "one who loves at all times".

In many of the circles I've frequented, I find people to be fickle. They will smile and chat in private quarters but later, in the open and depending on who else is the room, they will act as though I do not exist. Lynn has never done this. NOT. ONCE. Whether we're with the president of the University or a City sanitation worker, Lynn Spruill has been of consistent, caring, loving, determined, principled, no-nonsense character.

In recent years -not the 1950s or 60s, I have actually been in places where people didn't want to be next to me and actually moved such that I couldn't sit where they were. But, Lynn offered me a seat. In fact, many of the tables that I get to sit at today are because Lynn Spruill made room for me. And, this but scratches the surface of what she's done and the influence she's had on my life.

I write this in tears -I am determined, and am working hard everyday to make room for her and people like her. I am constantly pleading before the Throne of Grace that wherever I am, Lynn Spruill may be also -in this life and the one to come.

I am grateful. #52WoG