Originally posted on Facebook on Thursday, September 23, 2021.

In Week 39 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Clayton Richardson.

Mr. Richardson called me from an ad in the Yellow Pages for MR COMPUTER MAN and hired me to write a software program for one of his many businesses.

From the very start, Mr. Richardson was intentional about getting to know me personally. Our meetings around software requirements would sometimes spill into the lunch hour and Mr. Richardson would insist that I join him for a meal. More times than not, this led us to Lenny's Sub Shop as he was quite fond of their Philly Cheesesteak.

Over time, we started hanging out just because. He'd ask me about my family and was eager to tell me about his, especially his new set of twin grandbabies. As he was grinning at the thought on one particular day, he looked at me, his face became more serious, almost stern, and said, "Paul, if I could give you anything, it would be this: Find something to do with your boys -anything, and do it every week. I don't care if it's getting an ice cream cone from McDonald's, but do it without fail. If you do that, I believe it will pay big dividends in your boy's life."

He was right. The rituals Melissa and I put in place from heeding his advice are responsible for countless memories that our children cherish and talk about to this day. I was a new father when he shared this with me and it was one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received.

I called Mr. Richardson today to say, "Thank you". At 86 years old, he invited me out to eat again so we could talk more about our families. I'm grateful. #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, September 12, 2021.

In Week 37 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for our son, Chris Luckett.

The first time I held our son changed me. I was in awe of this tiny human being. I took my index finger to inspect the tiny fingers of his little hands. He was squirming and his eyes were squinting, trying to adjust to the light he's seeing for the first time. As he settled in my arms, he wrapped his hand around my finger and proceeded to fall asleep. As I looked upon his entire hand wrapped around just one of my fingers, I thought, "This little person is depending on me." It was the thought that shook me to my core and changed everything. It was like an entire universe burst into existence before my eyes and I in turn suddenly became very small. It was the first time in my life that something was more important to me than me.

As he grew older, one of the things that stuck out the most about Chris was something he would consistently say as a child. Perhaps the most common question that school age children are asked by adults is, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" And, Chris would answer flatly, "I want to be me." This was his response, every single time.

Authenticity has been a pursuit of Chris' from an early age. His willingness to eschew the opinions of others, to introspect and decide for himself rather than assume the prescriptions of culture or those around him is nothing less that astounding. It demonstrates a courage and integrity that inspires me every day.

From the day he was born, God has used Chris to make me question the worthiness of worldly pursuits and to challenge me to live for something greater. I'm grateful. #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, September 3, 2021.

In Week 36 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Rebecca Youngblood.

Occasionally during dinner time, Melissa and I would play the game "Would You Rather?" with our kids. We would go around the table and each person would pose a hypothetical situation to one another which would usually require everyone to choose one of two options. An example would be, "Would you rather get one million dollars right now or receive $20,000 per month for the rest of your life?" It's fun and provides insight into each other's personalities and priorities.

As a kid that grew up United Methodist, I participated in an organization called the Christian Council on Youth Ministries or CCYM. I was not a believer at this point but I didn't know I wasn't and I was mostly involved because it was the default. It got you out of the house, there were some cool trips and it was something to do. Notwithstanding, it was pretty demanding. There were weekly local youth meetings, quarterly district meetings, a summer and fall retreat (at good ole Camp Wesley Pines) and then youth functions at the Mississippi Annual Conference.

One particular year, I remember the name of our statewide Youth Director was Rebecca Youngblood. Honestly, that's all I remember which is odd given: 1.) my memory and 2.) how frequently and for prolonged lengths of time I would see her during many of these events. What I do distinctly remember was the peace, decency and order that presided over all of our gatherings. I remember one especially moving time during an annual conference that was being held on the coast. It was dusk and all the youth were gathered on the beach right outside the HoJo (Howard Johnson) Hotel. We sat in a circle on the sand around a fire and sang "How Great Thou Art".

On the last day of the conference, Rev. Youngblood gave me a black and white marble paperweight with a pewter inset that was the size and shape of a half-dollar coin. Inscribed on the coin were the words, "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace." Of all the thousands of sermons I've heard growing up, this phrase is one of the few messages that stuck with me. It's in my heart and I have that paperweight to this day. Her quite, faithful service imparted to me something that eloquent, passionate preaching or grand, impressive gestures could not.

So, would you rather be remembered for something impressive or know that you've helped someone but no one remembers your name? It is evident to me that Rev. Youngblood chose the latter. She and many others are like Joseph in the Bible, the earthly father of our Lord, of whom not much is spoken but the parts they played were greatly used by the Lord and pivotal. "And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor…" Today, I honor Rebecca Youngblood.

I'm grateful. #52WoG