My Dad called me this morning with a new chapter to an amazing story of how God is working through him to minister to a young man's life-- it's a wonderful and powerful reminder of how God works in all our lives in such amazing ways-- if we will allow Him to.
My Dad, who retired from teaching middle school history and coaching 7th & 8th grade basketball last year, has a particularly soft spot in his heart for Billy. This past June, Billy graduated from high school and my father was there to cheer him on. You see, Billy was one of my dad's students and players in 7th and 8th grade and both his life and my dad's have never been the same since. It all started when my dad and mom bought Billy his first pair of basketball shoes, something his single-parent mom could never afford to do. Billy was forever indebted to my dad, and my dad's heart was forever captivated by Billy.
Since those first pair of new shoes, my dad and Billy have gone through many experiences together. When Billy's house burnt to the ground, my mom and dad were there to take Billy, his younger sister and mom shopping to buy new clothes and household items. My parents church donated money and even bought clothing and toys for the family as well. When Billy began to struggle academically, my father devoted several hours each week to tutoring him so that he could stay academically eligible for his sports activities. Every year when Billy started a new school year, my dad was there to make sure Billy had new clothes and school supplies. There were many incidences when Billy's mom would show up at my parent's house needing grocery money or her electric bill to be paid-- my parents always found a way to help, even when there were times it meant they did without.
At the end of his high school career, Billy began to distance himself from my dad... and at times even seemed ungrateful for his help and sacrifice. But my father did not waiver in his support. For graduation, my dad bought Billy an X-Box game system and was at the ceremony to see him walk across the stage to receive the diploma he had spent so many hours helping him attain.
Unfortunately, Billy had made some poor decisions in his senior year and his grades were not what they should have been. Much to my dad's disappointment, Billy gave up his dreams of going to college and took a job at a local pizza parlor and spent the summer running with the wrong crowd. When I visited my parents this summer my dad was resigned to the fact that his relationship with Billy was over and his hopes and dreams of Billy going to college were abandoned. I don't know that I've ever seen my dad so wounded and deflated.
Well, God had a different plan that Billy, my dad nor anyone else knew about or could see.
Last Thursday, a small, private college called and offered Billy a spot on their football team and a full scholarship-- with one catch-- Billy had to accept their offer on the spot and be at the school to register (the school had actually started that Wednesday, so he was a week late) for classes Monday morning. Billy called my dad (whom he still calls "Coach") and asked if he could pick him up and drive him to college-- the school is 6 hours away. You can imagine my dad's elation.
When my parents picked Billy up Saturday to leave for college, he had basically nothing-- a small bag with a few clothes. Once again, my parents' church family came to the rescue and gave them money to take Billy shopping for new clothes and all the things a college freshman needs to live away from home.
Of course Billy had never been more than 40 miles away from home, so when he left, his Mom and sister were quite distraught. And Billy was in for the adventure of his life... he's never seen snow, never experienced fall and never seen mountains... he's never been away from home let alone lived away from home.
My dad called to ask me to keep Billy in my prayers and to send him a card of encouragement. He also asked that I send him $5 dollars a month (he's asked four others to do the same) so that he will always have a little spending money and a feeling of home while he's away. If for no other reason than to honor my father, I will gladly accept the small task of encouraging Billy.
What a wonderful story of how God can use us for His purposes, one life at a time! I wonder how many "Billys" there are out there? And I'm convicted of how much God can do with ten minutes of my time and $5 dollars of my money.
Lord, bless Billy with an amazing first year of college! Thank you for the awesome witness and servant heart of my father. Continue to put "Billys" into his life and into mine. Continue to use us to reach this world one life at a time! Amen.
