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

Originally posted on Facebook on Saturday, March 27, 2021.

In Week 13 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for this moment of reconciliation.

At points throughout my life, I've been a real piece of work; selfish, self-willed, self-absorbed -incorrigible. This often put me at odds with my father and for years we didn't speak. I thought everything was his fault and truth be told, there were things he contributed to our rift. But after I submitted my life to Christ, God brought me to accountability for my error and gave me His desire for reconciliation.

It started with making a phone call, then offering an apology. Every step was difficult, awkward and each time it required me to revisit my anger and my error and then bring my thoughts captive to Christ and to be obedient to His leading. I stumbled a lot, but by His grace I kept going. Phone calls turned into conversations and conversations blossomed into a relationship.

I will never forget the phone call when my Dad asked me to be the best man in his wedding. I can scarcely think of a time I've been more honored. Through all the pain we suffered, through all the damage I had personally caused, God gave me my father and to my father He restored a son.

What is impossible for God?

I am thankful.

#52WoG

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

In Week 12 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Judge Lydia Quarles.

Starkville Youth Court Judge Lydia Quarles understands the trappings of the criminal system and sees first-hand how a single bad decision can snowball into devastating, lifelong consequences. Wherever appropriate, Judge Quarles attempts to help point young people that come before her bench toward a productive path and toward resources that help them to avoid becoming entangled in the system. So, rather than issue purely punitive sentences, Judge Quarles has referred them to organizations such as the J.L. King Center as an opportunity to get on the right track.

The youth court referral program at the J.L. King Center is called the Leadership Academy. And, we are so fortunate to have the leadership of Rev. LeRoy F. Davenport to head this program. There, the focus is to support these young people and provide them with tools to succeed in school, the workforce and to be leaders in our community. We work with them as we would our own children; meeting after school with a snack, going over homework, revisiting the highs and lows of their day and discussing strategies to make the next day better.

Our justice system could benefit from a lot more of this, where well-being is the aim. I believe we'll be better as a community for it. I'm thankful. #52WoG