Interview with Dad

 

What is your favorite color? Purple.

 

What was your favorite meal when you were a child? My mother’s roast beef and rice with tomatoes, butterbeans, corn, and biscuits.

 

What is one of your favorite childhood memories? Swimming in the Lumber River.

 

How did you meet Mom? I met her in college and became interested in her in Algebra class. She was the smartest one in the class and I felt like the dumbest one in the class, and I needed help. I’d also see her in the cafeteria and library. We’d see each other and smile and talk and get to know each other.

 

What is the stupidest thing you've ever done for money? Probably when I ran the meat department at the grocery store by myself and sold fish and cut bologna and luncheon meats and cheeses and worked 14-hour days in high school. The manager wouldn’t even let me go out for lunch. I’d go to work at 8am and leave at 10pm with no breaks, and I only made something like .75 an hour.  

 

What skill are you working to improve most right now? My comprehension in reading. I read really fast, but I don’t comprehend as quickly. I need to read slower, so that’s a skill I’m having to develop. I’m also learning to enjoy contemplative prayer and to integrate who I am now with all I’ve ever been.

 

What is your favorite devotion book? Right now, it’s probably Charles Westbrook’s “Fresh Daily.” I also like Henry Nouwen’s stuff.

 

What is your favorite Bible verse? Right now, it’s Colossians 1:27—“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This is the whole idea that God’s not out there somewhere, he’s in here (pointing to his heart). The power of God is based on what God has done, not what we can do. And it’s for everybody—for the world. And this is what God revealed to us in Jesus. At first it was hidden and now it’s been made known through the cross. This is some powerful theological stuff. At our best, we are a vessel—a conduit—a receptacle through which God comes into the world. 

 

What is the best lesson your father ever taught you? To be faithful to your friends and your family.

 

What is the best lesson your mother ever taught you? That you need to laugh every day to keep your sanity.

 

What gets you out of bed in the morning? I need to pee. But also, every day is an adventure for me to discover what God has in store for me that day.

 

If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii.

 

If you could give your 30-year-old-self one piece of advice, what would it be?  Do not fear the unknown.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share? I feel especially blessed and believe I have been chosen by God to be one of His children. This gives me eternal security now.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share? I like to live in the present moment.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share? I have come to value the relationships with my family more than anything else in my life.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share? I am most grateful for my family and the opportunities God gives me every day to see Him in my world.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share before we wrap up this interview? I’m very happy to be who I am at this stage in my life…And I guess I can say one more thing: I have a lot of good memories with a lot of good people and I look forward to making more good memories with those I love.