A tribute to Dr. Alan Day & others who have mentored me.
Most of us have had someone invest time in us.
It may have been a grandparent who taught us how to fish or hunt or cook. Or a teacher who invested time helping us learn a particular subject or a coach who encouraged us or a minister who listened to us. Or, maybe there was a businessman who saw potential in you and took you under their wings.
I've been blessed in that many people have invested time in me.
Tonight, I am stunned, as are many of my fellow ministers, at the news of the death of Dr. Alan Day, Pastor of FBC Edmond, Ok. He died from injuries sustained in an motorcycle accident on Wednesday. Dr. Day preached for me twice when I was a Pastor on the gulf coast and we had remained in touch through telephone, email and facebook. He read widely so, if you needed resources on a particular subject, he could help you. It seemed that he had a library card catalogue in his head. He was very intelligent.
I can remember, as a young preacher, asking to have lunch with him. One cold February day we had lunch in the old Golden Corral restaurant in Mccomb. He took a napkin and diagrammed how he filed illustrations. I used that system for years. Then, when everything moved to computers he told me about a computerized filing system he used.
Dr. Day invested time in me and I will be forever grateful.
But. he's not the only minister who has invested time in me. I think of Jim Headrick, David Millican, Bob Self, Joe Small, Jim Futral, James Merritt, Ike Reighard, Mike Stephens, Darrell Robinson, Paul Powell, Nelson Price, Joe Cothen, Billy Smith, Wayne Hamrick, Jim Akins, Waylon Bailey, Frank Cox and many of my peers who have invested time in me.
These men invested time in me. Someone has invested time in you. The question is; who have you or are you investing time in? The men I mentioned above have mentored, counseled and have been a friend. Who are you mentoring or investing time in?
Is there a teenager that needs someone to encourage them? You may be the one.
Is there someone going through a divorce who needs someone to love them and give them hope. You may be the one.
Is there an athlete who just needs a word of encouragement... you may be the one.
Invest time in someone.. Dr. Alan Day invested time in me and I will always be grateful.
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