Originally posted on Facebook on Saturday, May 29, 2021.

In Week 22 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Tassie Avant Rosamond.

A sign hangs above the door as you leave her classroom that reads, "Love does not give everybody the same thing. Love gives everybody what they need."

Melissa and I have had the distinct pleasure to have Mrs. Rosamond as a 4th grade teacher for both of our sons who are 5 years apart. We had such a wonderful experience with our eldest son, Chris, that I was afraid Momma Bear Melissa Luckett would threaten someone's life to get our youngest son, Roman, into her class (since, at the time, teachers were assigned based on lottery). But by the grace of God, or an act of intimidation that I was not party to or aware of, Roman was also able to enjoy the benefit of the Rosamond Experience.

"Enjoy" and "experience" are words very befitting of Mrs. Rosamond's classroom. Before you can even cross the threshold of her doorway, you're met with lights, glitter, drapery and signs telling you how happy Mrs. Rosamond is to have you in her world. And when you do pass through the portal into her room, that's what you step into -a world that in practice delivers fully on the promise made by its outward appearance. It's a space of curiosity, exploration, possibility and love. When our children were in her classroom -who, it's worth noting again were 5 years apart, they enjoyed her class so intensely that they did not want to miss a single day. The highlight of the year, for both of our sons, was the aptly named "Rosamondville". Over the course of a week or so, the classroom is transformed into a small city. Students select careers that pay Rosamond Bucks, to simulate how lifestyle choices and business decisions affect their wealth. But most importantly, Mrs. Rosamond taught these little humans the dignity of all work -how different jobs and functions support the others, how they're inextricably linked, how we need each other. Just wow.

Mrs. Rosamond's commitment to her students didn't stop with the already abundant blessing of a fun, stimulating and healthy environment for our kids -that's amazingly where it begins. Mrs. Rosamond was devoted to seeing each of her students stretched, challenged and encouraged to the full measure of their ability. It is an unpopular but unfortunate reality that programs like "PEAK", "VIVA", honor programs and AP courses are de facto segregation and often used as safe havens for white children in public school districts with high minority populations. Prior to Mrs. Rosamond's class, our eldest son Chris applied twice for the gifted program called PEAK. The first time, his mother and I were told he didn't make it but to try again next year. We were shocked but took it in stride. The second time we were told he didn't make the cut we asked for more detail as to why and were told he didn't perform well on the test. That was a red flag because, even putting our parental bias aside, Chris was a child that tested well on practically everything. When we asked to see his test, for some mysterious reason, it could not be produced. We spoke to principals and administrators to no avail. His mother and I decided that because the program was at the elementary level that it was not a battle worth going scorched earth for. But a couple of weeks into Mrs. Rosamond's class, she approached us and asked us if we had considered putting Chris into the gifted program. We shared with her that he had applied but didn't make it. She responded, "There's no way Chris didn't qualify. I'm looking into this." Within a few days -what we couldn't accomplish in weeks of meetings and appeals, she had our son in the gifted program. When others attempted to make us believe that our son, who later settled for a 29 on the ACT just because he didn't feel like taking the test again, was somehow deficient or unqualified, Mrs. Rosamond used her privilege, power and position to ensure that her student had every opportunity they deserved.

I only know Mrs. Rosamond in the context of being our children's teacher but she brings so much of herself, her values and what she believes to work that I feel like I know her. I don't know much about her faith but she has Jesus written all over her. She embodies to me what it means to bring the Kingdom to earth. When you step into her classroom, you step into a place of peace, justice and love. It looks, works and feels like a classroom where Jesus is King. She isn't a social justice warrior. She doesn't beat you over the head with what she believes. She isn't a sounding brass, or clanging cymbal. Mrs. Rosamond simply acts as someone who loves those around her. That's made all the difference in our lives -not only for our boys but for Melissa and I, as well. I'm grateful. #52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Saturday, May 8, 2021.

In Week 19 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Dr. Chris Dewey.

It was the late 90s. I was a college student at Mississippi State and would occasionally pass a large glass storefront on Main Street that allowed a full view of the martial arts classes happening inside. On this particular day, the activity captivated my attention and I stopped in front of the studio to watch. Seeing me, Dr. Dewey motioned for me to come inside which began my journey of learning Ju Jutsu under his instruction.

It was a wonderful experience. He and his wife were so warm, welcoming and eager to share everything they had. I met a lot of amazing people there, among whom was Lynn Phillips-Gaines who became a business mentor and lifelong friend. I learned much more from that class than I could have ever anticipated. A lot of the lessons didn't unfold for me until much later, sometimes decades later, when specific life events gave occasion for their application. But, some lessons were drilled home right away -namely: honor and respect your opponent, the battle and the space where it is taking place. Disregard for any of these is an almost certain prescription for defeat.

A number of other lessons have proven useful throughout life such as; giving yourself more time (to make better decisions) by creating separation, reduce how much you're exerting yourself by understanding leverage and, my favorite, if I control your center (of gravity), I control you. The latter is something I find particularly instructive as a Christian when considering spiritual warfare.

In the book of James, that author warns that we are under assault. In James 1:14-15 he writes, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then when desire has conceived it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." Put another way, Jesus says in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Here, "heart" refers to your center -your desires, hopes; that on which your life centers. And, if I control your center, I control you.

I apply this by asking myself where is my treasure? What do I want most? What is my greatest hope? Do I want power and wealth? Do I want to be important? Do I desire to sit in places of honor among people? Pursuit of such things puts me on shaky ground. If the desire that is central to my being is based in things that change, as these things move, I am constantly moved. But, James goes on from the earlier verse to give us the key to defeating such an attack in James 1:16, "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

In other words, if I delight myself in the Lord and want Him above all else, my footing is sure. I can have peace in knowing that with Him as my center, I cannot be moved. Victory is then assured and I can live out Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

I cannot thank Dr. Dewey enough for the instruction he gave on the mat that has aided me throughout life. I am grateful. #52WoG

Photo courtesy of Martial Arts Professional ( martialartsprofessional.com).

Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, February 21, 2021.

In Week 8 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Ed Hardy.

I don't believe I've ever had a conversation with Ed Hardy. But, his life spoke volumes to me.

Ed Hardy and I both attended Mississippi State and though I'm not sure we even had one class together, he was somehow always on my radar -someone I took notice of around campus and watched from a distance for years.

This was during a time in my life when I was utterly lost, worldly and grappling with my own identity. While I was floundering, deeply insecure and pathetically trying to live out some fantasy I had seen in BET music videos, Ed was anchored. I observed him to be purposed, diligent, studious, friendly and honorable in all his dealings. There was a firm "uprightness" about him that was seemingly apparent to everyone, so much so that there was a widespread rumor that he and a young lady who were allegedly "talking" parted ways because he refused to have sex before marriage. As people talked about that, they laughed. I laughed. But for reasons I couldn't explain then, I deeply respected him. I wanted to be like him but simply lacked the Strength and courage to do so.

What I've come to understand, is that Ed Hardy's extraordinary walk, resolve and strength come directly from his relationship with Jesus. I don't have to talk to him to know that. To this day, I admire how he lives out his faith as a husband and father. (There's a lot of things you can fake but the countenance of your wife and family aren't among them.) Since before I had a relationship with Christ, when I was in sin, Ed Hardy modeled a more excellent way. God used his life to demonstrate to me that by His grace, better was possible. I'm thankful. #52WoG