FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 77

“I don’t think we ever had a bad Christmas,” she said after a moment, “not in all of our years. The Lord gave us that. It seemed that the little things were our kids’ favorites. We’d find a box of Life Savers, and the kids would rattle them around in their mouth for a month.

OUT TO PASTOR: There’s no place like home

Finishing my morning work, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage appeared at my office and asked, “Do you know what day it is?”I didn’t know if this was a trick question because she always puts a trick question before me.“I think,” my dear, “that it is Tuesday.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 77

Mama was waiting patiently when she heard the screen door slam behind us. I was nervous about Mama and Corrina’s conversation that night after we had talked about some of Daddy’s struggles earlier.

OUT TO PASTOR: Make room for laughter

After about two months in recovery mode, I had an opportunity to go to the neighborhood Publix. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a store, and I was happy to get out of the house and give The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage a break.While walking around, I noticed everybody seemed very sad.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 76

Billy Ray,” she started, then paused. I noted she changed from “Pup” to “Billy Ray” for no particular reason, but as precise as I’d learned she was, I’m sure she made a slight distinction in her mind.She turned a little to the side.

OUT TO PASTOR: How coffee has changed my life

Recently, I was sitting drinking a nice hot cup of coffee. It’s the first thing I do, and I can’t get anything done until I do.I was thinking about this coffee as I was drinking it, and remembered there was a time when I didn’t like coffee at all.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 76

Everything continued as if a boy in an old blue truck had never driven out on the job and was co-winner of the blue-ribbon award for “Fight of the Century,” voted on exclusively by the chain gang bunch out on the brick job.

OUT TO PASTOR: Don’t call me stupid– just whisper it

One thing that irritates me is people talking behind my back.While in the mall recently, I passed two people, and I heard one say, “Doesn’t he look stupid?”Tempted as I was, I didn’t turn around and inquire what they were talking about. Did they think I looked stupid?

OUT TO PASTOR: A needle named “Miss Ouch”

My father has been gone for 15 years. It hardly seems that long, but time goes by, and you can’t stop it. One of his “jokes” was, “Son, I’m so sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Then he would laugh, and I would, of course, join in with his laughter.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 74

I also didn’t notice that the black Studebaker pulled up about the time the boy got out of his truck, and Mr. and Mrs. McClain and Corrina were standing out past Red’s truck, watching the whole scene.None of that had time to compute in a mind going a hundred miles an hour.