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."