One Of The Guys
Back in the summer of 2004, I got to spend 3 weeks with my father at Arkansas Governor’s School. For those who don’t know, this is basically like a summer camp for what college will be like for Juniors before their Senior year in high school. This was a huge deal for me as I never really got to spend this much time with my dad so I was over the moon about it. I don’t know what I expected to get from my time up there, but what I got was something I’ll never forget.
There were two Residential Assistants there who were pivotal in my experience, Everette Callaway and Tony Nash. For all the time that my Dad was busy working, I’d be with them going around to the dorms, sitting in on meetings, or whatever they were doing and had planned for the day. They didn’t treat me like some kid who was just an annoyance. I honestly felt like I had two big brothers who respected me. I learned so much and met so many people through them. I made friendships that I still cherish today.
I have stories I will probably take to my grave or just share with the people involved in them that I still laugh about from time to time. I got to live something that I had only daydreamed about since the first time I got to see my Dad do his talk show night on campus. The reason this matters to me so much is the following year when I was up to attend Governor’s School for real, and not just as a tagalong, I didn’t get in.
I felt my dreams had been shattered in front of me. I was so disappointed that I didn’t get to go, and I didn’t really even know how to deal with it. I remember feeling like all the things I wanted in my life were just slipping away. God, of course, stepped in at that moment and reminded me of the blessing he’d just given me last year around that time. He gave me something so unique and catered to who he wanted me to be. It was a reminder that you may “miss” out on things, but what are you really missing?
When God chooses to give us purpose or fulfill us in other ways, it isn’t always something we notice immediately. He can hand us situations that will cause us to grow where we didn’t think possible. He restores us and places us where we need to be. I had the time of my life and got exactly what I wanted. I didn’t need to get something I already had. I am thankful to God for placing those two in my life had it not been for them I may have missed out on realizing how blessed I truly am. #wepreach #giveroses
