Category Archives: Life

In Week 52 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for my…

Originally posted on Facebook on Wednesday, December 22, 2021.

In Week 52 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for my mother-in-love, Mary Jean Harris.

"I love you…" I fondly remember the way she would say that, especially when she was on the phone.

She sang it as much as she said it. The vowels would hang for a bit, almost as though they carried a deeper message about her love for you: the authenticity of her love (I-I-I), the intensity of her love (looove) and the certainty of her love (yoouu).

The sound of it was melodious, like a joyous line from an upbeat blues tune. Blues –the music of pain, perseverance and pursuit of brighter days. A fitting soundtrack to a beautiful life. If there was anyone to whom "Life For Me Ain't Been No Crystal Stair" could be applied, it was Mary Jean Harris -she had joy and found ways to share it, even through pain.

The life Mrs. Harris and her husband Willie Lee Harris built in the face of adversity places them among my heroes. In their day it was more important for a child to work than to go to school. But they dared to hope for and pursue a better life. With less than a high school education, they ventured out, overcoming the poverty they were born in to and eventually becoming home owners, all while providing for a large family of six children.

Mrs. Harris meticulously managed their modest earnings with the skill of a banker so that their children and even their grandchildren had not only what they needed but even some of what they wanted. But most impressively she built a house with "good bones". It was a home that kept a family together because, no matter how imperfect (as all families are), it was a home founded on love and built with intentionality. Even until the end, Mr. and Mrs. Harris had the advancement of their children in view and, seemingly against all odds, managed to leave property and money for them -money Melissa and I used to buy our first home.

This is a wonderful, hard-fought legacy and one that we cannot throw away. We owe them our best effort to advance and put the next generation in an even better position.

Thank you Mrs. Harris, for all the beautiful ways you said, "I love you."

We miss you, we love you and are determined to build on your memory. I'm grateful. #52WoG

In Week 51 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Jamie Jones.

Originally posted on Facebook on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

In Week 51 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Jamie Jones.

It was a hot summer's day in June and my wife and boys were sitting on the grass just outside George M. Bryan Airport. They were there for two reasons: because our youngest son, Roman, likes to go there just to watch planes take off and land and because they were recording a video for me for Father's Day.

As they were recording, a man began to walk from the hangers in their direction. Thinking that they were about to be told that they could not be there, my family began to get up and leave. But, the man introduced himself and asked if they were there to see the planes. As they talked, they shared how Roman has expressed a love of airplanes even before he could really talk. The man said, "I think I know of something he might be interested in. There's a group meeting in the hanger right now that I think he should meet. Let me introduce you."

That was about 5 years ago, the man was Jamie Jones and that group that was meeting was the MSU Soaring Club. Roman began flying with them at the very next meeting and loved it. He has been flying under the instruction of Dr. George Bennet ever since and is on course to receive his license this upcoming year.

It is rare to find that thing you know without question you were built to do. Because Mr. Jones went out of his way to show kindness to a stranger, he helped my son to find his thing. For that, I am in his debt and he will be forever enshrined in Luckett family history. I'm grateful. #52WoG

In Week 50 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Pearson…

In Week 50 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Pearson Liddell. Pastor Gregory Jones…

Originally posted on Facebook on Saturday, December 11, 2021.

In Week 50 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Pearson Liddell.

Pastor Gregory Jones would say that every man needs these three men in their life: a Paul, Barnabas and Timothy.

That means: a mentor who models new heights of The Way (Paul), a companion who you walk with in The Way (Barnabas) and a mentee with whom you can share what you've learned along The Way (Timothy).

For more than a decade, Pearson Liddell has been a Paul to me, modeling godly masculinity, how to live in dependency on God's grace and what it looks like to lead from a position of service. Not only has he been gracious in sharing his life and hard fought wisdom with me, now he's mentoring my son. Praise God for these mighty rivers of living waters through Pearson Liddell in Christ Jesus! I'm grateful. #52WoG

In Week 49 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Mr. Oda…

Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, December 5, 2021.

In Week 49 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Mr. Oda Dakhlalla.

When I got to college, I thought Algebra would be like what I took in high school, but they put "College" at the front of College Algebra for a reason. When I needed help, Mr. Oda Dakhlalla was my tutor. Mr. Oda not only helped me to learn the formulas I needed to solve problems but he helped me understand the underlying logic of mathematical concepts. This helped me to even approach problems that I may not have known the necessary formulas to solve. He was brilliant. He went on to help me with a number of my classes like Stats II.

That was more than 20 years ago.

Mr. Oda has since prepped my eldest son for the ACT, who is now a sophomore in college and is currently working with my youngest son on his ACT and SAT.

But most notably, Mr. Oda over the years has become more than a tutor but a friend. On our most recent visit, he insisted to cook for us. We not only have occasion to regularly share a lesson but life. I'm grateful. #52WoG

*If you or your student needs a tutor in math, stats, physics or chemistry, I highly recommend Mr. Dakhlalla. He's effective and affordable (I was able to afford his services in college). His phone number is 662-722-0020.

In Week 47 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for…

In Week 47 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Christopher McKnight. It was a night…

Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, November 19, 2021.

In Week 47 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Christopher McKnight.

It was a night like tonight, cold, damp and with temperatures in the low 30s.

Our apartment floor was littered with particle board, pieces of gray carpet and electrical wire from building boxes for subwoofers. It was already late, we both had work and school the next day but I was excited about my new subs. I was new to car audio. I bought all the components; the wire, subs, amp and head unit, but I didn't know how to install them. Chris, seeing my excitement, grabs his coat and says, "You know this is love, right?" then precedes out into the cold to install audio equipment in my car in the dark of night. What's more is despite having to take frequent breaks to get the feeling back in our fingers from working in the cold, Chris takes his time -more than four hours by my recollection, to install everything right, all while explaining the process step-by-step to me along the way.

This characterized Chris; selfless, thorough, excellent, kind. He exhibited this many times, in many ways. He was a much better friend than I deserved. And, to answer the earlier question, Yes. I know it's love and I'm grateful. #52WoG

In Week 45 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for my sweet…

Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, November 7, 2021.

In Week 45 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for my sweet nieces.

I'm the proud father of two boys that I wouldn't trade for anything, but I've always wanted a daughter too.

I believe girls offer something so unique and invaluable to the world that I'd willingly brave the hell of the teenage years again to invest in it.

Though I do not have a daughter of my own, I have a host of nieces and great nieces that I get to see grow up into amazing young women and make their mark on the world. But best of all, I have been given the distinct privilege of being a part of their lives. I'm grateful. #52WoG

*I don't have pictures of all our nieces, but we adore and are proud of every single one.

52 Weeks of Gratefulness #42 – Jannie Thompson

Jannie Thompson
Janine Thompson with Ebenezer youth at old Burger King
Janine Thompson jump rope Ebenezer youth
Ebenezer Youth Group

In Week 42 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for the youngest person I know, Jannie Thompson.

Miss Jannie (as she’s affectionately known around my house) was one of the first people to welcome me when I visited Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church as a college student. If Ebenezer had a mascot, it would be Jannie Thompson. She is the personification of the down-home kindness and warmth that characterizes that fellowship.

I got to know Ms. Jannie mostly by serving with her in the youth ministry. Among the many things I’ve come to love about Ms. Jannie is her enthusiasm for life. Whatever the youth were doing, she was doing. It didn’t matter if it was kickball, jumping rope or racing, she was in it to win it.

She kept us grounded because she is unapologetically real. She is one of the kindest people I’ve met but she will slip off those shoes and earrings on you, if she has to. Because she was so real, our time together as a youth group was real. We didn’t pretend or play church. We wrestled with real problems, discussed what was happening today and talked about how to apply our faith to real life.

But perhaps what I appreciate most about Ms. Jannie was her openness and big heart. There were kids that came to our church hurt, confused and alone but always found a safe place with Jannie Thompson. I personally saw her be understanding, forgiving and take in scores of people into her life where she would love on them and where they would find healing. I was one them. I’m grateful. #52WoG

52 Weeks of Gratefulness #41 – Childhood Neighborhood

Childhood Neighborhood - Facebook

Image Courtesy of Google Maps

In Week 41 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for my childhood neighborhood.

I find the sound of lawn mowers strangely satisfying.

It elicits feelings of safety and security. When I was growing up as a kid in Jackson, Mississippi, lawn mowers were part of a cacophony of sounds that announced the arrival of a new Saturday morning. It meant it was sunny, the day was underway, the neighborhood was awake and that it was time to go out and play.

As I reflect back on this as an adult, it has another meaning that I didn’t consider consciously as a child but nonetheless planted the sentiments I find myself reflecting on today. And that is, I had neighbors who cared.

They cared enough to be up at the crack of dawn to weed flowerbeds, trim hedges and mow lawns. They cared enough to organize neighborhood watches and neighborhood events.

I remember during Christmas, the neighbors would come together to select a theme for the entire neighborhood. Each yard had common decoration elements such as a frosty white Christmas tree behind a spotlight and matching signage with different phrases like “Joy to the world”.

There was a deep sense of pride in *our* neighborhood characterized by doing things with each other and for each other. We were together and it made me as a child feel secure. I pray we can get back to that. I’m grateful. #52WoG

Fine Without God

Only Light In The Darkness

 

I reject God believing “I am fine without God”. At the heart of that thinking is a belief that the light I’m walking in is my own.
 
Whatever your proximity to God, all light you enjoy -any semblance of love, justice or truth comes from Him. These are not concepts of human invention or products of our effort. They are characteristics of God that emanate from Him and shine through His vessels.
 
But there is coming a terrible day, after God’s offer of Himself and plea to choose life has gone out to every creature under heaven, that God will withdraw Himself completely from those who reject Him,
 
“For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine.” Isaiah 13:10, Mark 13:24
 
God will allow them their desire -utter darkness because “they loved darkness rather than light” John 3:19. In His withdrawal, He will also take His people. Not one who bares His Light will remain. Mankind will be completely left to languish in their own corruption and cruelty, being devoid of understanding, with no hope of any good. There will be no love, truth, justice nor anything of the sort -no light.
 
This is why Jesus proclaims, “I must work while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” John 9:4
 
I remember my ignorance of the harm I was doing and how I was being harmed, until finally I was forced to acknowledge my sin because it was piled up to heaven and I was being crushed under the weight of it. I was not fine without God. And, neither are you.
 
Be not deceived, “Every good gift 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.” James 1:17
 
I am so thankful that while I was in darkness, hope remained for me and there shone a great light. Isaiah 9:2, Matthew 4:16
 
And, there remains hope for you! The love of God compels me, “Believe Jesus, be freed from darkness and receive the Light of the world!” John 8:12
 
How can you test what I’m saying? How can you know it is true? The closer you walk with God through faith in Christ, the greater your light will shine.

52 Weeks of Gratefulness #40 – Mr. Richard West

Richard West. Former Chemistry teacher at Bailey Magnet High School
Bailey Magnet High School Chemistry Lab - Jackson, Mississippi
Bailey Magnet High School - Jackson, Mississippi
Picture of Richard West courtesy of Jackson Academy.

In Week 40 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Mr. Richard West.

Mr. West was my chemistry teacher at Bailey Magnet High School in Jackson, Mississippi. He was the first black man that I had as a teacher. He taught me how to use my first scientific calculator, a Texas Instruments TI-35X, which I still have to this day.

There’s not any particular thing he said or did, it was his presence that made the difference in my life. Though I didn’t know a thing about Chemistry going in, students know when a teacher is competent and his command of math and science were evident. He was intelligent, professional, kind but firm, in control, excellent -alpha.

Mr. West’s representation in a professional setting as a teacher during my formative years affirmed that these wonderful qualities were not only possible for me as a young black man, they are what define a black professional.

His positive influence on my self perception, education and professional outlook cannot be overstated. I’m grateful. #52WoG