The time I almost died

I attended Watkins Elementary School during my 5th and 6th grade year. Watkins is 3 miles from the house I grew up in and where my mother still lives today.  That means that we walked to school all three miles in the rain, mud, and snow! Well, maybe not in super extreme conditions, but it did seem…

You can’t do God’s job

Have you experienced working with a kid that you wish you could do more to help them?  The kid I’m talking about is one that made you consider talking to your spouse about becoming foster parents. It’s awesome that God has given you the gift of reaching kids and that have a heart of compassion for…

I don’t get no respect

Rodney Dangerfield was an American stand-up comedian and actor known for his catchphrase: “I tell you, I don’t get no respect!”  His monologues would go on and on about how no one respected him. He was also famous for one-liners that talked about mistreatment and lack of respect. Here’s one: “When I was a kid…

You are going to get dirty

If you have ever gotten your car stuck in the mud, you know that it can be a major pain to get unstuck. No matter what kind of vehicle you drive you can get it stuck, and if you get stuck you are going to need help to get it unstuck.  If you google how…

A tale of three mothers

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to talk to mothers from very different backgrounds and cultures. This blog is about a tale of three of those mothers who seem to be very different. One mother is a chocolate woman who lives in a small apartment in West Jackson.  One mother is a vanilla woman…

Do something with the bar

Jack Watson was my granddaddy, we called him paw paw, and he was known for doing his part to make sure his grandsons knew how to get things done. He didn’t believe in “holding our hand.” He would tell us one time how to do something and then walk away expecting us to get it…

Do you prefer leftover cabbage?

Just in case you haven’t heard me say this already, there is no such thing as “good vegetables.” As far as I’m concerned, the word “good” and the word “vegetables” should never be put side by side.  There is no greater oxymoron than “good vegetables.” One of my least favorite vegetables is cabbage, and I’m not…

You got the stuff?

One spring afternoon, as I sat at the kitchen table, I looked out of the window and noticed a man walking around in our back yard.  I asked my mom did she know that there was a strange man walking around in our yard.  She came to the window, looked out, and said, “I don’t know who…

Don’t bug me

I have had many conversations with people trying to figure out why God made some bugs.  It’s not hard to see that some bugs have a purpose. Think about the fly. It clearly plays a role in the disposal of decaying flesh.  Maggots, which are baby flies, (I hope you are not eating breakfast) do…

Have you ever been invisible?

When I was growing up I was always fascinated by superheroes who have the power to make themselves invisible.  Being invisible was one of those things that really came in handy if you were facing a foe that was bigger or more powerful than you.  I think every kid has pretended to have the ability…