That Was an Amazing Experience

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I grew up wanting to be a sports writer, maybe even take a stab at politics, or even - as my mother will tell you - be a game show host. (Hey, I enjoyed it when USA would air game shows from 8 a.m. to noon just about every day. Those were the good days.)

Never did the thought of being a pastor - or even someone who gives sermons occasionally when the pastor is on vacation - ever cross my mind. It just wasn’t something that I consider.

Now, there is no doubt in my mind that this journey that I’ve been on for the last few years is the right one for me. If I had any doubts, any at all, they were all wiped away yesterday after delivering my first sermon. I’m still awestruck and humbled by what took place yesterday. It felt natural. I was comfortable. And I felt as though this is what God has been preparing me for.

Sure, there were some awkward moments at first. Reading without notes is not something I’m prepared to do right now. But, it went smooth, shockingly smooth.

And yes, the congregation had nice words to say to me as they were walking out. But what means the most to me is what my grandfather said to me. My grandfather is not one to say things of praise. It’s usually through his actions that you can see that he is proud of you. He’s very old school in that. But, yesterday he looked at me as he was walking out and said that I did good and you could tell he was proud of me.

For someone who never met his father and has looked up to his grandfather in that role his entire life, that meant the world to me.

I’m sure that between now and the time I graduate in nearly three years I’ll have more opportunities like this. I think the church that I grew up in wants me to come preach in the fall, but I’m not sure if that will change now that there is a pastor switch.

Yesterday was a good day. It is a day I’ll never forget. As I mentioned before, was a full circle day. I think one story of my life ended and I think another one began yesterday. I think I’m more excited now about being in seminary than I had been before. Which is good, since I need that extra juice of excitement to get me through the last bit of the semester.

With this sermon behind me, I can really get to work on preparing for the summer and Bayou La Batre, Alabama.

Now, where did I put that sunscreen.

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