The Journeys of Life

This post is a little bit unusual, in that it is a personal reflection.  This past week marked my 57th year of life.  At age 57, I have outlived my dad by six years.  It has given me the proverbial “pause” in life.  A brief moment to think and consider.  I hope that you will graciously permit me to share some personal thoughts as I recollect what the Lord has done for me.

I rejoice in the time the Lord has provided me in this life.  Are there things that I wish I had done differently?  Without a doubt!  Regrettably, we are born into this world lacking both knowledge and wisdom.  As with most people, there are many things that I wish I learned earlier in life.  At fifty-seven, there are pearls of wisdom that I wish had  discovered at twenty-seven.  I wish that the wisdom of maturity had come earlier.

However, as I ponder the years of my life, there are many wonderful memories. I was born into the family of Charles and Janice Wynn.  It was a blessing from the Lord that I had a Godly heritage.  My parents were led to Christ by Pastor Orman Norwood, who pastored the Mountain Terrace Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee at that time.  I was only four.  My dad was called into the ministry of the Gospel soon after his conversion.

Being raised in a pastor’s home was a blessing that few children are privileged to enjoy.  Yes, we lived in the proverbial “glass house,” but it never bothered me.  We were taught that a man does not maintain a consistent Christian testimony because others are watching…We do so, because God is watching.  Therefore, the scrutiny of others was never an inconvenience for me, in a pastor’s home.

In August 1975, I left home in order to attend Bible college in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  The day I left home will be indelibly etched upon the walls of my memories.  As I arose that Sunday morning, I discovered my mother had written a letter and placed it beside my bed during the night.  I carefully opened the envelope and began to read the well-chosen words from my loving mother’s heart.  In that letter she reminded me of my parent’s faithful prayers for my life throughout the years.  Their desire had been that their sons would be used of God to point others to the Savior.  She exhorted me to faithfully serve Him.  She encouraged me to patiently wait upon the Lord to provide me with a faithful spouse, in His time.  She enjoined me to keep myself pure for God and for my future wife.  The words of her letter were stained with her tears.  I have treasured that letter and read it many times over the past decades.  As I left home on that hot Summer afternoon, I saw a sight that I had not ever seen before.  My 1967 Ford Mustang was loaded with what few possessions a nineteen-year-old would have.  My mother walked me across the den of our home and opened the door.  My dad remained seated on the couch.  I wondered why.  Was he not going to wave at the door?  I turned and looked at him. Tears were cascading down his cheeks.  I had never seen my dad cry.  He was a strong man…a muscular man…a stalwart man.  Yet, the tears came on that day, as he said a loving good-bye to the first of his four sons to leave the security of his home.  He tearfully watched as his firstborn walked out his door and into a waiting world.  Although the ensuing years had many return trips to mom and dad’s, it was never the same “home” again.  The progression of life had brought permanent changes.

Prior to my final year of college, I was blessed to marry the love of my life on July 7, 1979.  My mother’s admonition had been proven to be true.  Waiting on the Lord had brought me a wonderful wife, without the pain of multiple failed relationships.  On that day, Kathy Ann Smith became my bride and lifetime friend and companion.  As we approach our thirty-fourth anniversary, we can recall many trials and difficulties, due to the events of life.  Yet, the blessings have far outweighed the burdens.  We have been blessed and honored to have been given the opportunity to raise Stephanie and Stephen.  When they entered our home as newborns, we knew that we had witnessed a miracle.  It did not take us long to realize that biblical parenthood was a challenge that we could not refuse.  We would only get one opportunity to train them in the way of the Lord.  As parents, we can take no credit for the fine Christians they have become.  It was simply the goodness and grace of God that intervened in our many failures and turned them to His successes.

Our son and daughter are now married to wonderful Christian spouses.  They are faithfully serving in getting the gospel of Christ into all the world.  Our daughter and son-in-law have given us twin grandsons, who are now three-years-old, and a granddaughter will be here in September!  There are no words that adequately describe the joy of hearing Peter and Titus run toward me and say “Pa.”  It would be wonderful if my parents could see their great-grandsons.  Yet, life has taken its course, and the past cannot be undone.

I could ramble on further.  However, let me just say that I am grateful for a loving family, who also loves the Lord Jesus.  It is a joy, pleasure and privilege to serve in the ministry for His glory.  And…Yes…I hope to outlive my dad by many more years!  🙂