I am finally old enough to look back and see how God designed my life. I am now old enough to have fun and not apologize. I am old enough to be free to tell it like it is, not what you want to hear.
I have had a powerful relationship with God since my childhood. I met Him first as I gazed into His awesome creation. Then He took time to talk to when I was nine, and tell me, "I have something I want you to do." My answer was an immediate yes.
As far back as I can remember, other people have always been important to me.
Like most kids starting out in the workforce, I has several jobs in places like grocery stores, fast foods restaurants, and gas stations. However, there was one thing that tried to get in the way of my success. I did not go to high school. I missed grades 9-12.
I discovered that there are no dead ends, but many detours, in life. Not having a high school education closes the door t
o going to college, entering the Military, and getting a well paying job.
With that said, I eventually got my GED. That changed everything. Because of that one event, I was able to enter the military, then go to college, and Seminary. I almost completer my Masters degree, but never set foot in a high school.
After working in several better jobs in the Juvenile Justice system, I landed a career in the Criminal Justice System of Texas. My calling to help others was lived out as I was able to help many criminals change their lives. I was a Parole Officer for 21 years, and retired. The next day after I retired, I stepped into the classroom of a Texas middle school as a Substitute teacher.
The stories that were written in my life all of those years, are awesome. God was there all the way. In the schools I developed a plan, or ministry, to "Tell A Story, and Change a Life." I told stories of my life, and others, that touched the lives of students, changing many of them forever.
The wonderful thing is that God is now writing a new chapter in my life. The greatest of them all is being written after I reached the age of 70. God called me one more time. This time, He has charged me with a mission to reach the next generation of students. Along with that specific group, I am also called, now, to reach Teachers, and elderly peoples, like myself.
God called me to public speaking. I will be reaching out to make a difference in the lives of students, and my peers, and Teachers.
I figure that if I am excited about what my life had been about, maybe I can inspire, and motivate others to have that kind of excitement as well.
"Love can help someone to achieve a victory, and be proud of himself when he might not be able to by himself." I don't want my life to end until I have sung my last song, and written my last chapter.
