Go Beyond

Corpus Christi, Texas

Today is the official start day of my sabbatical adventure. I have returned to the place where I started my ministry as the place from which to begin my forty-day adventure of renewal and refreshment. Thirty-four years ago I arrived in Corpus Christi, Texas with everything I owned in my car. When I arrived in town and drove down Corpus Christi’s scenic Ocean Drive, I felt like the most fortunate guy in the world. When I met the men and women I would serve with at Second Baptist Church, I had no doubt that I was the most fortunate guy in the world. This was the place where I took my first steps in vocational ministry under the tutelage of some very godly folks. In my naïveté I thought that I would spend the rest of my life in Corpus Christi. God, however, had other plans for me. It has been an exciting adventure to watch His plans slowly unfold over the years. I have absolutely no regrets or complaints.

At the top of the list of good things that happened to me during my time in Corpus Christi is meeting Cheryl, the young woman who became my wife. I knew that I had found a good thing when I found Cheryl (Prov. 18:22). And, to make things even better, I also found a good thing in Cheryl’s family. This morning we attended worship together and expressed our gratitude for Cheryl’s mother. I hit the jackpot when Frances Crane became my mother-in-law. She has nourished me with kindness and hospitality over the years and has always made me feel at home. I’m glad that we had the opportunity to spend time with her on this Mother’s Day weekend. And, in typical Frances-fashion, she has clothed me with encouragement as I begin my sabbatical. She is one of the few remaining people who was there when I started my journey, who has witnessed my highs and my lows, and who has faithfully blessed me with balm and honey over the years.

In a few hours I will leave Corpus Christi and drive farther south to McAllen to visit my Dad and to prepare for the start of our road trip on Tuesday. On this Mother’s Day I especially miss my beautiful mother, the other Frances in my life. This is the second Mother’s Day since my mother passed away. I continue to miss her deeply. There is a lingering loneliness in my life without her. Although Mom will not be there to welcome me when I arrive, I know that she would be pleased that Dad and I will have the opportunity to spend the coming days together. As I get older and as my Dad gets older, time has become an increasingly greater commodity and the greatest gift that we can give to one another. I also remain grateful to Kingsland for giving me the gift of time to reinvest in the relationships that will serve to refresh me during my sabbatical. I hope you will stay tuned for more as I blog about my sabbatical adventure.