March 21, 2006, The Day It Happened Prayer Changes Things……And People… And Me! I was eating in Chick-fil-A just after Life Group. I could hear two men behind me talking about their jobs. They worked for different airlines but both were equally bothered about upcoming changes. One was especially negative. They voiced concerns over family responsibilities, benefits and retirement. One even said, “I’m trying to plan for the worst.” Doom and gloom was all over their conversation. I…..
Believe In Your Dreams I didn’t know as a child or even teenager that I would someday become a writer much less an author – no idea. When I was in grade-school I won a writing contest that our school librarian, Mrs. Martin, held. She titled our writing subject: What America Means to Me. I won first place. I had never won anything before. And as the winner, my essay was published in our local newspaper; The Panola Watchman. To…..
Looking back, I realize there are stories that are the bedrock of our faith. Although they seem relatively small in reality the impact was and is huge in our spiritual journey. She was a small dog; probably wouldn’t stand out in the lineup of amazing animals but to our family she was the queen. She became one of us years earlier when a neighbor across the street had mixed Chihuahua puppies and wanted to give one to our youngest daughter…..
Twas the night before Christmas…. On the other side of town…. A dad and a granddad were hunkered down. It wasn’t a pretty sight; two grown men being challenged by a very large toy; All for the joy of a one year old boy! So my story begins on that Christmas Eve night so long ago. As I recall, it began innocently after Thanksgiving through a phone call. “Mom,” our daughter Traci said, “We are at Toys R Us and…..
“Who is George Bailey?” That was a bonus question to my students; watching the body language was fun….for me. The blank stares; deep thoughts; trying to make eye contact with a friend across the room. The answers were priceless: a kid in your first period class; that weird boy that sits alone in the lunchroom; and the usual: never heard of him. Who is George Bailey? Where is George Bailey? The Baby Boomers reading this are laughing; they know George…..
While Lee Greenwood’s words, “I’m proud to be an American” ring in my ears, Kate Smith’s, “God Bless America” rings in my heart. We, the Baby Boomers have been blessed to experience a love for our country, to embrace our precious faith, and remember a different, slower time. I pondered writing this year’s Jimerson Letter. 2020 has pushed us into uncharted territory laced with fear for many, while loss has left many with sadness and a new normal. Anger, frustration…..
As you know I had the amazing opportunity to work with young parents in the high school and middle school setting; I will always be grateful for them, what they taught me, hopefully what I taught them, and the lifelong relationships formed. After ten years, I took a sabbatical of sorts and went home for a few years. During that time I wrote my book, Detours & Dreams and renewed and refreshed my heart and mind. I won’t say I…..
I didn’t know as a child or even teenager that I would be a writer; no idea. When I was in grade school I won a writing contest that our school librarian, Mrs. Martin, who was also the wife of the superintendent, held. She titled the subject: What America Means to Me. I won first place. I had never won anything before; my essay was published in our local newspaper, The Panola Watchman. To say I was proud is an…..
I write more about faith then anything; some say I tend to preach. I probably do. If someone asked me what I’m passionate about, it will be my relationship with Jesus. As much as I love my family, my greatest thoughts toward each of them is to have Jesus the core of life. I understand the importance of Jesus, possibly even to being called radical. That is a high compliment to me; radical is good! Not in the way…..
I often say every day is a new day, which of course it is. But, every new day can equally be another page in an ongoing story, or it can be a new chapter, introducing twists, turns, and unforeseeable possibilities. So while each day is new, our story is always evolving. Our story isn’t always what we planned, the script we see playing out in our head, but it is still our story to be lived; however, we always choose…..
