As my church honored me for having preached for 40 years, I sat there trying to sort through all of the thoughts that were suddenly crowding my mind. I knew this day was approaching, but had tucked in somewhere in the back of my mind and had not given it much thought. Susie and I had not even discussed it, and so I certainly did not know anyone else was really aware of it.
So here I am after 40 years of proclaiming the Word of God. I guess these days come if you live long enough and stay at it. The staying at it has been by the grace of God, and because of the support of the most wonderful wife a man could ever have. She has been a partner in service since the day that she became my wife. I think it will be a revealing day when I stand before the Lord, and it becomes known that every blessing my ministry ever experienced was on account of her, and not me. She is, without a doubt, the most remarkable Christian I have ever known, and my best friend. Next to my salvation, the best decision I ever made was asking her to marry me.
I also have been blessed with wonderful children. The 6 of them have been my hardest workers and my most loyal supporters since they were just little tikes. They have worked long and hard and without complaint. They have worked bus routes and afternoon Sunday Schools when other people were home enjoying a nice rest after a hot Sunday meal. They never thought it was their right to sow wild oats, or to run with the wrong crowd. They dated right, and they married mates who have so blessed our family. And all along the journey from childhood to adulthood, we had much fun together. To Jason, Dixie, Tara, Georgia, Nathan, and Jonathan: Thanks for all of your investment into my ministry and my life. Thanks for having a heart for the Lord, and for being so willing to overlook my flaws as a father. You six are my dearest friends on earth, and I am blessed to be your dad.
My parents, James and Margaret Herring, were the ones who first saw potential in me when everyone else must have thought that either I got my wires crossed, or that God had made a mistake in calling me to preach. They remained my most loyal “fans” until the day that God called them home to glory. Their love for me was a motivating factor in my ministry. I never wanted to disappoint them, and I still don’t. Sometimes I get such an ache to see them again, and one day I will. Until that day arrives, I want to stay faithful in His service.
And what about those who mentored me? Where would I be without Ed and Judy Bruce, Cecil and Kitty Hodges, Ray and Brenda Turner, Harry and Carole Lassley, and Don and Lydia Balls? These people taught me…molded me…trained me…loved me. I owe them a great debt of gratitude, as I do to all of the many friends who have encouraged me, sharpened me, and strengthened me along this journey. We are, after all is said and done, made up of little bits and pieces of the people who influence our lives. I have been blessed to be surrounded by so many good and godly people who have helped keep me between the ditches.
March 21st. It was the last night of an “Andrew Revival” that Carl Hatch was preaching at my home church (Bible Baptist Church) in Savannah. God had been dealing with my heart about surrendering to preach His Word, and that night I finally surrendered my will to His will. I stepped into the aisle and headed to the altar. My youth pastor, Ray Turner, met me at the altar and opened his Bible to Joshua 1:8-9. That scripture has encouraged me many times over the past 40 years, and I have shared it with every young man who has surrendered to preach under my ministry.
I did not know, that night, the great blessings that the next 40 years would hold for me. Everything in life has its ups and downs, and the ministry is no different. Yes, there have been trials, but the trials have been so few in comparison with the blessings. Through it all, God has been God. He has shown me that He is there in every moment of my life. No matter how dark the valley. No matter how deep the pain. He has always been with me.
It has been a learning experience for me. I am amused by preachers who like to pound their chest and proudly proclaim: “I haven’t changed a bit in the 30+ years I’ve been preaching!” That really is a sad commentary on their lack of growth. The very nature of growth demands change in who we are and how we relate to others. I hope that after 40 years of ministry I have changed for the better. I hope that I am quicker to forgive. I hope that I have learned to look beyond a person’s flaws, and appreciate their worth. I hope that I have learned to love deeper, to cherish friendships, and to appreciate the smallest of blessings. How wasted would my life be if I was the same person as the boy who walked that aisle 40 years ago! I thank the Lord for His work in me.
Lastly, I am grateful for the people that God has allowed me to minister to over the years. You have loved my children as though they were your own, and you have allowed us to be a part of your life. Susie and I have been blessed beyond measure to have friends all over this nation, and from sea to shining sea. Thanks for the memories! If I have had just a small bit part in helping to encourage you along your journey, or in drawing you closer to the Lord, I feel it has been worth it all.
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;” 1Timothy 1:12