The Difference You Made

This past week, I had the opportunity of taking time and reflecting on my education. I was welcomed home to my Alma Mater in celebration of the Lee University Centennial and I had the pleasure to see men and women who made a massive impact in my life. As I saw these people whose classes I dreaded, I began to look back at how much education has made a difference in my life. I look back and see how there were people along the way that changed me for the better.

I look back at my high school years and remember teachers who drove me to be better than I thought I could ever be. “If you think you can’t do it, then you are right.” These words were spoken by my MCJROTC Instructor my freshman year of high school and I excelled in all that I attempted because of them. I took on challenges due to the motivation that was offered to me. I had teachers who had my back when I thought the world was out to get me. Even in my darkest moments, these two men who motivated me day in and day out were the ones who got me to the end. The discipline I learned bettered me for my future and when I returned to that mentality I became a greater man than I thought I could.

I think of the love of music I developed due to a music teacher who saw me goofing around and thought I had talent. She pushed me to be a better musician and gave me opportunities to grow. She offered me hope in a time where there was none, and I could honestly ask “what would I do without my music?”

I think of my college days of the men who lived on my halls or the beds across from me who taught me so much. I think of the men who spent time ministering to me and my colleagues just to make sure we weren’t spiritually drained in the midst of our new chaos. I loved the moment my Residential Assistant freshman year took the time to tell me that I needed to do better for I was called to be better.

I think of the professors who challenged me to think outside my box. Although I was nicknamed “Baptist Wayne,” I was challenged to not let my denomination define me. To let Christ define me. I think of that moment when a professor sat next to me in the hallway just to get to know me, or the time a professor confronted me on my stupidity and set me straight. I think of the professor who took the time in the mornings to workout with me because I was having chest pains at an early age. All the times I hated waking up at 6am to go and work out were the times I got to know my professor the best. I also learned what it meant when someone said, “I got to go talk to a guy about a used car.” Finally, I think of the professor who took the time to look over my progress and make sure I could get to graduation. A man who took me from the point of wanting to quit to walking to the stage. Although he gives me the credit, I still believe it was God and him who got me there.

Often, we look at our time in academia as a time of dread and hard work. Yet, if we look back at the men and women who poured their time and energy into molding us to be the men and women we are today we would realize the amazing time we had. The papers we wrote, the exams we took, the time spent in the library crying made us the great people we are today. I wouldn’t change a thing.

 

P.S. I hope that God blesses all of you who had a part in guiding me and educating me. You do mean the world to me and I think of all of you often.