Daddy D story

Hi Y'all,

Tracey asked me to put the story of Tyre and Willis talking about answering God’s call into words. Here is the story, as I remember it. Keep in mind that I have been radiated, and this is an old story! — Tyre was working for Delta as a mechanic: he was married and had three children. Tyre felt the call of God to become a preacher, which meant he would have to leave Delta, go to college, and then to cemetery. Willis said, “Bud, college will take you four years. You’ll be 36 when you finish.” Tyre replied, “I’ll be 36 in four years anyway.” They then discussed the change and what would be involved. Willis mentioned that Tyre would have to give up his good job with benefits and security, move to another state, and live on a preacher’s salary. Tyre then said, “It doesn’t make any sense to hold on to something I cannot keep, and to give up something I cannot lose.”

There is a school of thought in motivational circles which holds that on any given day we will be faced with a decision; we will make the decision without fanfare; and our lives will be changed. With that thought in mind, let’s think for a moment about the possible outcomes of Tyre and Betty not answering God’s call.

o We would still have Jennifer, Jim, Jeff, Joel, and Jody. But, we wouldn’t have Jana: a great loss.

o The 5 J’s would have found spouses in the Metro-Atlanta area, and probably lived happily ever after. But, they would not have the spouses, children, and grand children they have now: a great loss.

o If Tyre had stayed with Delta, the LORD would have sent someone else to minister in Anderson County. But, the folks at Gash would not have had Tyre come drink coffee, read the paper, and tell stories, and the “Lunch Bunch” would not have had a Pope: a great loss.

o If Tyre and Betty had stayed in Atlanta, the LORD would have sent someone else to Africa, to serve in the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and to serve in the Southern Baptist Convention. But, that someone would not have been Tyre: a great loss.

We will not know this side of heaven (to borrow a preacher phrase) the eternal impact of the Life of Jesus lived through Tyre and Betty on the people of Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Africa …

Tyre, Betty, and the rest of us did not lose when they chose to give up a job and to take hold of a ministry: we gained what we cannot lose.



Love,



Art


Art is Joel's cousin. I love the phrase, "It doesn't make any sense to hold on to something I cannot keep, and give up something I cannot lose."

A True Holy Ghost It Tribute

Welcome Home, Daddy D. I know you are eating at the banquet table and having a wonderful time with Jesus. Prepare our place, we miss you dearly.

To My Daddy D

February 7, 2010

To My Daddy D,

Each week your writing would inspire people so I am writing this as a gift to you.

Do you remember the first time we met? I do, Joel had just had a wreck
in his red BMW 2002. We had taken the station wrecker and towed it home to Lawrenceburg to be fixed. It was in the living room of the old house. When we met, it wasn't like it was for the first time...it was like I had been part of your family. From that day on it seemed like I was part of your family. You never treated me like anything other than that.

When I think about all of the great events in my life you are there, sometimes in the for front, sometimes just in the shadows: Graduation, baptism, marriage, child birth, surgeries, sickness. Some of those mine and some of those my family.

Shortly after Joel and I were married I asked you one day what I should call you. Your reply was just a simple "Daddy D." I can remember you saying that you and Betty didn't just have 6 kids but you had 12, I am blessed to be one of those lucky dozen. What a great Dad you have been to me! You see that is what I considered myself to you, I am your daughter. I cannot tell you how many of your words (either preached or just in day to day conversation) resonate in my mind. When you married Joel and I, you said we would go through storms, I will have to say I was a little upset, I thought Joel and I going through storms was a wild idea. Now almost twenty years later, I think if you said that to me today, I would like to sit and talk with you for a while. The stories of your life have encourage me in some of the darkest days. One of my favorites is the story of the leaning barn with just a stick or two holding it up.

It has been almost 22 years, I have grown a lot under you wings and guidance. You have served as father-in-law, pastor, grandfather, and most of all a Dad. The greatest gift that I learned from you was how to love people, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, or where they have been. You minister and encourage everyone you come in contact with, always putting them first.

I guess what I am trying to say in all this "bumbling and fumbling" is that having you in my life has be one of the greatest joys. I have seen Jesus and feel closer to Him because of you. So Daddy D rest, rest in the assurance that you have a friend in Jesus, rest in the fact that your legacy will live out through your children, your grandchildren, and your great grandchildren. I love you Daddy D!

Tracey


Daddy D met Jesus on February 14th, 2010 at 8:15am. A Sunday no less. Thank you Daddy D for loving me. Thank you Jesus for loving my Daddy D.