Originally posted on Facebook on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

In Week 25 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks to God for a walk.

I used to be embarrassed to admit this: I didn’t graduate until 2019.

I came to Mississippi State as a Computer Engineering major in 1995.

I flunked out.

I stumbled and bumbled a lot. On top of that, life was lifeing.

But God.

He used my circumstances—and even my missteps—to lead me to the good works He prepared beforehand that I should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

He blessed me with the wonderful gift of my wife, then my boys. And I wanted to walk in a way that set the path of life before them—hoping to spare them from the way of death I was so painfully acquainted with.

By God's grace, I was able to earn six figures without a degree. I didn’t need a degree.

But I went back and finished anyway—not for me, but for them.

To show my children that when we aim, we finish. To show them the kind of conviction and patient perseverance required to thrive in life. And because I couldn’t require of them what I wasn’t willing to do myself.

So, I finished.

I finished so they would know they can finish—no matter how hard things get.

My eldest son started his college career during the Covid pandemic. It was rough sledding for a minute. It was tough. But he finished.

I don’t know if my finishing had anything to do with his.

But I do know this: God led me to walk in a way that didn’t give him any excuses.

Either way, his finishing filled my heart with joy. It was the hope of my efforts.

God turned my shame into a stage that my children could walk across.

I’m grateful.

#52WoG #finish

Originally posted on Facebook on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

In Week 24 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks to God for science and engineering.

We often joke that modern vehicles don't hold up in an accident like cars back in the day.

That is by design.

They look a mangled mess after an accident so we don't have to. They're engineered to crumple in places to absorb the impact so the force isn't transferred to the passengers.

Were it not for the grace of God and exceptional engineering, we would not have walked away from this accident.

We were banged up, but in one piece.

God bless each and every engineer involved in this vehicle's design. Your work is part of why we're still alive.

I'm grateful.

#52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

In Week 21 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks to God—for God.

As I pondered the many things I’m grateful for, it occurred to me: these things are beams of benefit streaming to me from God—one after another.

The gifts are good, but the true prize is God.

God is the ultimate good—and that gives me everlasting hope.

Whatever I’m going through—or whatever I’m without—because God is, I know there is good in the world.

And that makes me glad, even if it seems like I’m not experiencing it in the moment.

I rejoice in others enjoying Him, and it gives me hope that His light may one day shine on me again.

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 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 1:16–17

There is a coming Day when I will bask in God’s light—and it will never end. (Revelation 21:23)

I’m grateful.

#52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

In Week 20 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks to God for a prayer.

Yesterday, we took our Junior Techs—students who volunteer their time to shadow the IT Department, learn about information technology, and provide support throughout our district—for an end-of-year celebration at Stafford’s restaurant.

Our meals had just started arriving when a student said,
“Mr. Luckett, will you pray for us?”

😭

Mind you, I haven’t breathed a word about God or my faith.

Then they proceeded to hold hands and bow their heads.

“Yes, dear one. It would be my honor to pray for you—today and every day.”

I’m grateful.

#52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, May 2, 2025.

In Week 18 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks to God for sharing life.

This picture captured a beautiful moment of sharing life with people I love. What made it especially wonderful was that my brother, Nehemiah Luckett, chose to share a really important moment of his life, and to give me a front-row seat to something he's chosen to give his life doing.

Today is his birthday, and I'm thankful—not only for the gift he is to the world and the gifts he continues to give through his work, but primarily and most significantly through his being in our lives.

I look forward to being front-row for how the remaining acts unfold.

I love you.

I'm grateful.

#52WoG

Originally posted on Facebook on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

In Week 15 of 52 Weeks Of Gratefulness, I give thanks to God for a help meet.

An injury landed me in a cast on my leg. I didn't think it was a big deal, but I've been surprised by the difference small things make when I'm forced to do them a different way. It's been manageable—it just requires more thought and effort.

Tomorrow is trash day. I'm on the way home, thinking about whether there are any extra steps I’ll need to take to get the trash to the curb. As I crest the hill, I see the trash has already been put out by my wonderful wife.

Not too long ago, I read how Desmond Carson was celebrating his bride. He said,

"I love how we complement each other so perfectly. Where I fall short, you pick up the slack, and vice versa."

Well said.

I hear people often say that marriage is 50 + 50. That is incorrect. It's 100 + 100, so that even if one of us stumbles, we're never less than 100%.

A wife—a help meet—is indeed a good thing and favor from the Lord.

I'm grateful.

#52WoG #marriage #perfectourlove