Over the last week or so, I have reconnected (sort-of) with people from my past who made a lasting impression on me. What I mean by sort-of is that I have connected with them through their wives. While facebook is meant for connecting with people, Twitter is a weird way of going about it. Through Twitter, I found the wife of my high school Geometry teacher/Mathlete coach. Mr. Stockdale was a great teacher, and he really invested in me. For the four years I was in high school, he was always ready with a listening ear and sage advice. He believed in me and encouraged me to do my best. I know that teachers are “supposed” to do that, but in reality, many don’t. But Mr. Stockdale did. When I graduated, I remember thanking him for all that he did.
And a few years later, I was embarrassed to take his order at Dairy Queen. Yet…he wasn’t judgmental. We talked, and he asked about what I had done, and he sympathized with my failing my freshman year. And yet…he still believed in me. He didn’t say anything earth shaking to me as far as advice goes….but he did talk to me like he KNEW I was going to get back on my feet academically. Well, he was right. While I have not yet gotten my degree, I’m almost there.
The second person I have connected with is my old paster Dave. I often think of him from time to time. He helped me on my path to Christ by spending time with me, answering questions, and praying with and for me. He helped me crack open the Bible and read it. He mentored me, discipled me, and loved me like Jesus. He was the one who baptized me, and he was the one who comforted me when Mom passed. He was my brother.
And when our church imploded with in-fighting (I don’t know details, don’t care to know them, but it was painful), he left for Crown Point, and I was lost. I got burned by the church…but I didn’t give up on God. In Iowa, we found a church. And then we moved to Indy. And Traders Point. And the high school ministry.
And that is where reconnecting with Dave comes in. Last night, in our life group, we shared some stuff. I shared how God got me through my mom’s passing. And Dave came to mind. He was at the funeral, and he helped me see God’s beauty, even in the broken. He helped me realize that God was there with me. And that He would always be there.
So, when I got home, I searched for Dave on facebook, and found his wife. I sent a message. And reconnected.
It’s funny how God brings people into your life for a season, but their impression lasts for a lifetime. These two gentlemen were instrumental in me getting to where I am right now, and I am deeply indebted to them. More importantly, I am thankful that God used them to do His work.
