Unique Experiences
Dec 25, 08: Being a pastor for almost thirteen years some things don’t change no matter which church a pastor serves. But, each church does have its own unique personalities, traditions, etc. But, I won’t go there today. I’m thinking of two unique things that I’ve done at FBC that I’ve never done before. The first may be common place for our woodsier brothers and sisters. I’ve spent my share of time in the woods hunting rabbits, squirrel, quail, and, of course, the white tail deer. But, I’ll have to admit that my second Friday night on the church field, here in Wagener, proved to be unique. Doug Busbee took Joel and me, and a few others, on a coon hunt. Hot Rod, Doug’s dog, equipped with a radio tracking collar and a lot of enthusiasm didn’t tree a coon. But, we did manage to lose Blake Murphy the next day at the “Grand American” (An annual coon hunter’s expo held in Orangeburg). Next time we go to a coon hunting expo, and take Blake, we are not going to put the tracking device on Hot Rod but on Blake. Now, that I think about it, coon hunting isn’t the only unique experience in this story. After all I’ve never lost someone else’s kid before. By the way, “Thanks Doug for an eventful trip.”
Now, I’ve played a lot of putt-putt golf in my lifetime. It’s a great youth trip kind of activity, fun for a date, and a challenge when your wife is better than you are. In fact, she beat me by one stroke the last time we played at Frankie’s Fun Park. This is standard fare for most folks. So, don’t give up on me when I say that the second unique thing I’ve done at FBC is to play putt-putt. But, this is putt-putt with a twist. Picture driving out into the middle of nowhere, turning onto what most would call a logging truck trail, while riding in Al Tyler’s Cadillac (heated seats and all), missing a bunch of low hanging limbs, and pulling up to a mail box nailed to a pine tree with a sign reading, “Sparkleberry Golf Club.” Folks, this is putt-putt with a twist. The fairways are paths cleared out between the pine trees complete with roots, ruts, acorns, deer tracks, and any other obstacle that nature may put in the way. Put in three to five men armed with putters, a lot of banter, and the hope that your ball doesn’t go flying into the woods when it hits a root and you have putt-putt, Sparkleberry style. I’m thankful for Al Jeffcoat, Al Tyler, Bill Bodie, and Mr. O’Shield for inviting me to play that first time.
As I think about it, the most unique experience and best part is the get to know some of the people of South Carolina. I’m from Alabama and to be honest I never thought that I’d live in South Carolina. In fact, I used to wonder what anyone lost in South Carolina. How wrong I was. If Wagener is any indication of the rest of South Carolina there’s a lot to be proud of and I’m glad God called me here to serve.
