Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, January 31, 2021.

In Week 5 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Charlene Minor.

Shortly after accepting my call to the ministry, I was tasked one Sunday with the invitation to discipleship. The invitation was a part of worship service and an opportunity for anyone in attendance to confess their faith, rededicate their lives or join the church. The invitation also typically follows the sermon. So after Pastor Jones concluded the message, I took to the pulpit to extend the invitation, beginning, "The doors of the church are open…"

After worship service and as the ministers were greeting departing congregants, Mother Minor, walking toward the exit hugged me and said, "You did good." Then, gently placing her hand on my arm and holding it, she said, "But it's, 'The Door of the church is open.' Christ is the door. There's only one." And as quickly as she came, she left with a smile.

Up until that point, I had simply parroted what I had heard other ministers say. But, in an encounter that was as brief as an embrace, she had given me an invaluable lesson in theology but moreover, she gave me an appreciation for the meaning and importance of every word that came across that sacred desk. It would be far from the last lesson she would teach me.

On another Sunday years later, I delivered the "Children's Sermon." My son, who was 8 or 9 at the time, was among the group of two dozen or more children who had come to the front of the church for this segment in the service. He was talking during the sermon and my response was harsh. That very next day, a Monday, Mrs. Minor comes to my workplace, walks to the break room and tells me to come have a seat. She then goes on, like a mother, to rebuke me for my public and harsh treatment of my son. She said, "As his father, the things you do and say to him have the potential to become part of him forever. Make sure it's helpful and not hurtful. At this age, you have to be careful not to crush his little spirit." I said, "Yes, ma'am." Then, she told me she loved me and as quickly as she came, she left with a smile.

Much of my growth as a Christian, husband, father, minister -as a human being can be accounted to Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church because of beautiful souls like Mother Charlene Minor. She was a Mother in the purest ecclesiastical sense of the word. Mrs. Minor was always prepared whether in song, word or deed to correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience. I thank God for her teaching me, encouraging me and holding me accountable. I am a better man for it. I am grateful. #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.

In Week 3 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for my Delta-made woman, my finest chocolate, my best friend, my help meet, the mother of my children, my wife, my counselor, my good thing, Melissa Luckett on her birthday.

"What can I say about this woman?" was the thought I had as I contemplated how to give her the honor she's due. The real question was, how can I, without writing a book, summarize what her influence has meant in my life and that of so many others? I concluded that I utterly lack the skill to do so but I could, perhaps, convey a general idea.

Melissa Luckett is strength.

Scripture paints a glorious picture of Christ and what His coming means for mankind. In Psalm 68:18 it's written "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." And, in Isaiah 40:29 it's written "He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength." Strength is the grace given to Melissa according to the measure of Christ's gift. He gives strength to and through Melissa.

The strength I'm referring to doesn't come from natural ability, education or achievement. Even though Melissa abounds in that regard, she doesn't assume that she is capable or has the answers. More often, she assumes that she is unable or that she doesn't know. Nevertheless, she gives what she has to meet people's need where they are. In this way God uses her and I've watched time and time again the Word made flesh as "[His] strength is made perfect in [her] weakness."

In whatever sphere she's in: daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, auntie, professional or neighbor, Melissa Luckett bears with, builds up, supports and pushes people to do and be better.

I am so thankful that it was given to me to have her to build life with the last twenty years. I have indeed found favor from the Lord and am grateful. Please help me celebrate Melissa Luckett on her birthday! #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, January 10, 2021.

In Week 2 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Terrence Adrian Shannon. When my business was in a spare utility closet of a hair salon with just two plastic tables as make-shift desks, Terrence was the first member of the team. He was barely in his twenties, without much experience, looking to start a new career in Information Technology to better provide for his young family. Terrence was taking as much a chance on me as I was on him. He was the first person I had ever hired and I wasn't completely sure that I could keep finding enough business to pay myself, much less maintain a payroll.

But, what quickly became evident was that Terrence was not merely an employee but a dear brother sent for an appointed season. He approached his work with extraordinary commitment, professionalism and ownership. He often went to extreme lengths to provide our clients the best possible service. On one particular weekend we got a call from a company that had just suffered a major server failure. We worked around the clock, trading places sleeping on the floor a few hours at a time, to get the client back up and running before start of business that upcoming Monday.

There were a lot of stories like that but is only a fraction of why I am so thankful for this man. What blessed me the most was the fellowship. Being an entrepreneur is challenging. The uncertainty is the hardest part -not just for you, but for your family and the people who depend on you to provide for their families. It's a lonely weight. But Terrence did much more than I could ever hope to pay him for. He opened his life to me and embraced me as a friend. We prayed together, we cried together, we studied together, we did ministry together, we sought to become better husbands and fathers together. It just so happens that we became better professionals together.

It was my sheer delight to witness the work of God in Terrence Shannon's life. I watched the young man that started without much experience go on to complete his Computer Science degree at Mississippi State University and move on to become a programmer and Systems Analyst at Raytheon Aerospace. But more impressively, he became an outstanding father of five beautiful children and a husband whose example I admire. I am grateful to have had opportunity to call Terrence Adrian Shannon my friend. #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Saturday, January 2, 2021.

In Week 1 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Zwan Landfair. Zwan is a Starkville native and graduate of Mississippi State who has gone on to have a successful career at Zimmer Biomet, a multi-billion dollar medical device company. Not satisfied with achieving mere individual success, Zwan used his influence and resources to bring opportunities back to his home town.

He along with Cheri Spigner and others belonging to a "tiny but mighty" team of minority professionals at Zimmer created a program to provide underserved youth exposure to careers in STEM. The program was extended to 6 locations throughout the United States and Zwan used his influence to make the J.L. King Center in Starkville, MS one of those sites.

During the program Starkville youth were introduced to engineers, doctors and information scientists that looked like them, opening whole new worlds of possibility.

We don't hear a lot of stories like this, but Zwan is a welcome reminder that there are people who love their neighbors, are remembering the forgotten and quietly doing the work of uplifting our communities. And, I am thankful. #52WoG