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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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 Thursday, September 16, 2021.
In Week 38 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Mrs. Martha Jones.
If I had a theological quandary, I'd call Mrs. Martha Jones. She is the wife of my mentor, Dr. Gregory Jones, the greatest exegetist and expositor of the Word I have ever known.
When I'd be at their home at 5 AM for prayer and devotion, she was there.
When I'd be debating with Dr. Jones about the probative value of a passage late into the night, she was there.
When traveling with Dr. Jones to revivals in locations so remote they had to pump in sunshine, she was there.
Every Sunday, for every sermon, she was there taking the most in-depth and detailed notes of anyone in attendance -myself included.
Many ministers have studied at the feet of Pastor Jones but a doubtful few had as firm a grasp on the biblical grace theology that he taught as Martha Jones. She was a consummate First Lady and co-laborer in the Gospel. But, she was even more.
When I was new to the faith, wrestling mightly with sin; a whore, sexist, prideful and arrogant college student, she was there and welcomed me into their home as a son.
When I was alone, she was there and bid me to eat at their table.
When I did not have enough money to buy my newborn son diapers, she was there. Her and Pastor Jones not only opened their hearts to me, they opened their hands.
As I grew in the faith, eventually accepting a call to the ministry, she was there overseeing my leading of Bible Study, Sunday School or corporate worship. She did not withhold correction and spoke the truth in love.
Mrs. Martha Jones was there and is as dear to me as Pastor Jones. I am proud to be their spiritual son. I am grateful. #52WoG
**P.S.** As a son, I ask you to join me in something. As many know, her husband, Pastor Jones, has gone on to be with the Lord. But, Mrs. Jones remains and has been quietly enduring grueling toil to provide for her household -alone. I am asking our fellow believers to join us in blessing Mrs. Jones to supply whatever she may lack (James 1:27).
A gift may be sent directly to Martha Jones via Cash App. Her ID is $island59
My prayer is that God would move on the heart of His people to bless Mrs. Jones whenever He brings her to mind so to affirm the love of God and supply all of her need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
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
