Transcript
A (0:10)
I was blown away. What would have undoubtedly brought me to tears just two years ago today brought a smile to my face. And what would have most likely made me probably leave the sanctuary back in Lubbock brought an indescribable peace to my soul this morning in Waco. Let me explain. Four or five years ago, I found myself torn between goals that I had unfulfilled somewhere else and the blessing of being a husband and a dad who was fully present. Have you ever found yourself in that uncomfortable in between space between where you are and where you feel like you need to be? I absolutely have. I've long had a goal and a dream and an unmistakable purpose in my soul to serve and to inspire. And while I appreciated the job that I had at Tech at the Health Sciences center and I love my students, I knew deep down in my heart that I needed to be doing more. I wanted to impact more lives. I'd hoped that would be in Lubbock. My school was growing and I was sure that I would get a chance to be a new vice Provost. That would have allowed me to grow and to serve without having to move and disrupt life for my family. And unfortunately, the Lord had other plans. I started to realize that first when one of the high ranking leaders at the school that I'd hoped to work for brought in someone from his previous institution to fill the role that I legitimately thought had been created just for me. Not only did I not get the job, I wasn't even interviewed. Imagine my surprise and my shock when I had applied. I was essentially counting the days down until I would get a promotion. Didn't hear anything. So I logged into the HR application portal and there I saw it in all caps, bright red letters, bold, Company not interested in. After a decade and a half and a position that I thought was mine, I didn't even get an email. Company not interested. So, trying to see the purpose in it all, I regrouped. I worked for three solid years after that, often volunteering to serve that same guy who got the job that I thought was mine. And I was trying to build a teaching and learning center for my institution. After several meetings over several months, I finally requested a formal meeting to Fisher cut bait. Let's ask him officially, is this proposal of mine ever going to get a chance to really exist? I was understandably nervous about it. Put on my best suit and tie, I was prepared with a full color proposal. I was confident that this was either my moment to shine or to know without a doubt that this was never going to happen. Before we could even begin the discussion, he dismissed me. Hope he didn't dress up for my sake, he said. We chatted briefly, but he reiterated that he didn't know when, if ever, my proposal would ever be formally considered. Friend, I would be lying if I told you anything other than I stepped out of that meeting absolutely devastated. And not long after, I was angry. I was livid, actually. My kids had grown up in Lubbock. This was home. Why would God allow me to have to continue to be passed over for a job that I knew in my heart I was made to do? Or why would he make me move to have to do it? I have a spot that I visit even to this day when we go back to Lubbock, where I would think pray honestly, I have it out with God. It's a little lake in a neighborhood not far from our home of 15 years, and I would usually run or walk or somehow end up at that same spot by that lake with the fountain and at the end have it out with God. Why would you let me suffer like this? Why can't you allow me to serve? Why aren't doors opening? Why do I have to move just to feel fulfilled? My kids love it here. It's home. My wife loves it here. Her job is here. And over time, I grew embittered. I was praying for something to change when it just wouldn't. I applied to hundreds of other jobs. I tried to find remote work. I didn't want to leave Lubbock, but I knew I'd outgrown the spot where I was. In the early spring of 2024, I saw a dream job come up. Not only was there a center like I'd been trying to build at the HSC for more than four years, already up and running at Baylor, they were hiring my son. Tay was set to graduate in May. The job would start in June or July. The timing was perfect. The job was a dream. I applied immediately, I interviewed, and I got it from company not interested in all red caps A couple years earlier to we are pleased to offer you on letterhead in Baylor Green. Now, I'm not gonna lie, the change has not been easy. In fact, there are days when the distance between Waco and Lubbock and the miles between that daughter and that son that we had to leave behind feels like from here to Jupiter. But I have every confidence that this was the something more that was coming, that all the while I was too impatient to wait for. So that's why this morning I could not help but Smile as the Praise band sang out these lyrics from their song Fallow ground.