I am on my way!

We all have that one person who has been the greatest influence in our life. A person who just stood out among the rest. Mine was my grandfather. No, he was not perfect, but he did serve the lord and serve others. He did his best to mirror Jesus. I love how John the Baptist is described in John 1:8 “He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” This was my grandfather. He himself was not the light but he was a witness for the light, his savior. One of my greatest regrets has to do with “making excuses.” We all do it. But excuses rob us of opportunities that we may never get back. When I was younger my grandfather would ask me, “C.W., I want you to go on mission with me.” This is what my grandfather called me. Everyone else called me Chuckie. The first time he asked, I was in college and I made the excuse I could not because of school. He later asked again, and this time I was getting married. And again, now kids. Then he did not ask again because he himself was no longer able to go on mission trips. I missed my opportunity. That is why I am now intentional about taking my children on mission trips with me. No excuses. There will always be a reason not to go. Why? Well, because Jesus told us to go (Matt 28:19-20) and the enemy wants us to do the opposite of anything Jesus said. So, if you feel a tug on your heart to go, I hope this message drowns out the enemy’s voice and you go. I do not want you to one day say, “I regret!”

Why am I sharing this? Well, after I wrote my book God started opening up doors and I want to share one he opened. In my book I share a story about my grandfather going on a specific mission trip. You will find this in the chapter “Man in the Red Coat.” My grandfather always wore a red coat. I do not know why. I guess since capes were not very fashionable, he settled for a red coat instead. However, he was known by this coat. One day as I came by his office he said, “C.W., I want you to read this letter.” He was so proud of it. It was written by a friend of his who he went on mission with him. Long story short, apparently on this trip my grandfather was separated from the rest of the mission team which caused him some anxiety. As I sat at his desk and read this letter and laughed at its words, I remember him grinning ear to ear with pride. The letter his friend had written was called, “The man in the red coat!” Other than sharing what the letter stated in my book I really did not have the details around the letter. One day while at church, I was approached by another member who asked me if Hubert Odom was my grandfather. He is, I stated. He then tells me he is the son of one of my grandfather’s best friends and had often when on mission trips with my grandfather. I was not aware that grandfather’s best friend was still alive but had the opportunity to see him again just a couple of weeks later. I shared about my book with him and he even filled in the gaps on the story I shared about my grandfather. He is still very active in mission work at 92. He invited me to come to see where my grandfather served in Progreso, Mexico.

So here I am sitting in the airport headed to walk where my grandfather walked. I am sorry it took me so long Papa, but I am on my way. I will be speaking at men’s conference on Saturday and sharing the gospel with the men there. I will also be preaching on Sunday to families. When I wrote my book, I prayed God would use it to open opportunities for me to encourage men to step up as husbands and fathers to be the men God was calling according to HIS great purpose. I had no clue God would call me to the place my grandfather served for my very first speaking engagement after my book release. Not only that, my grandfather’s friend only ever knew me as C.W., because this is how my grandfather always referred to me when he spoke about me. So not to cause confusion with another Chuck going on the trip, I was asked, do you mind if we introduce you as C.W. So, I am not only going to share the gospel where my grandfather shared, but I will be called what my papa called me.

I covet your prayers this weekend as I go and share where my grandfather shared. Unfortunately, I do not have a red coat for this trip, but I did pack my cape.