I grew up in a pretty average home. Nothing fancy. I was surrounded by the southern charm of just plain country folk and North Carolina humidity. I guess you can say I had it made in the shade...literally. That North Carolina humidity doesn’t play around. Shade is a must in July.
I was an average boy. I played with toy guns, rode my bicycle with a baseball card between the spokes, and often visited Mamaw and Papaw’s house.
My Christian school and church were the hub of everything I did. Youth activities, sports, school plays, student government, camp, choir—you name it, I did it.
But I think one of the greatest blessings of my childhood was the person in charge of all I was involved with, my pastor. He was amazing in all respects! His faithfulness and compassion were unprecedented, and his daily walk mirrored Christ more than any man I’ve ever known. God only knows where I would be had it not been for my pastor’s wisdom and guidance.
As a little boy I watched ‘my preacher’ Dr. Bobby Roberson set the stage of life’s drama in faithfulness and strength and longed for the day that I too could reach such a feet. But God is teaching me that He he does not just want a clean vessel to use, but a broken one. To reach His beginning He must lead me to the end of myself and that place is far from any “lime light.”
My start was rather “boring” by some aspects but I am eternally thankful for a tender and gracious beginning on this journey with Christ. I was saved at age seven, when a faithful teacher and servant of the Lord Mrs Wakefield led me to Christ. At that moment everything was different. It was an initiation of a burning desire to serve my Saviour and tell others of His greatest gift.
God called me to preach at Gospel Light Christian Camp when I was thirteen. Oh, how God did a work in my heart through that place. So many decisions made; so many wills broken. There was much yet to learn but all I knew was that I wanted to be the best pastor I could be; a pastor like Bro Bobby.
God is often reminding me though that my pastor didn’t have it too easy. In fact his life consisted of many “breakings” that molded a human heart to the will of the Father. God has allowed me to see many things in my short life but every one of them are essential lessons to tests to come.
Right now, God has privileged me with one of the highest offices a man could attain; a husband and a father. Kathryn is God’s greatest gift to me outside of salvation and I could not pass many of these “tests” without her. She brings stability when my knees are feeble and tenderness when I am hurting. She is a constant flow of God’s grace on me and an emblem of His undying love.
Our precious daughter Lillian is the personification of my joy and brings light to every area of life. She has given me a fresh perspective on the responsibilities of my office and has melted this old heart of mine.
God has placed it on my heart to pastor and I am thankful for the opportunity to serve under the leadership of Pastor Rick Finley at Fellowship Baptist Church in Durham, NC. His mentor-ship has already been such a help to this young preacher.
God has also placed an urge in my soul at this time to write. I write every week for this blog and am currently working on my second book Restless: Finding Rest in A Restless World.
I love serving my Jesus and I am so very grateful that you have tagged along for the journey! God bless you my friend!
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