Significant Events in My Life

I know life has a way of changing us.  Our experiences from day to day and year to year constantly mold us and reshape our thinking.  So, I began to ask myself, “What are some of the important events that have formed my character and personality?”  Here’s what comes to mind…

1.  I was in a car accident when I was 14 that killed one of my best friends.  I realize today…had it not been for that one tragic night (February 25, 1984) I probably would not be a Christian today.  God has a way of getting our attention…and He did it that night.

2.  Youth Camp 1985 (June 25, 1985).  I went there looking for girls and found Jesus!  Not a bad trade off, is it?  I owe everything to Him and what He did for me at that youth camp.

3.  The day (August 22, 1988) I travel from my home town (Bayou La Batre, AL) to Central, SC, in order to go to school  for the ministry.  Not many people know this, but there was a point in that trip where I almost turned around and went back to ‘bama.  It was a real test of my commitment to the Lord…I’m so glad I didn’t turn back!  Where and what would I be today had I done that?

4.  The night (March 6, 1992) I got married.  I was a 22 yr. old young man who knew nothing about life.  I figured my wife would want a divorce within the first year…but she’s hung in there with me for over 15 years.  What did I ever do to deserve her?

5.  The birth of my first child Austin (September 16, 1992).  It’s hard to believe he’s now 6′2″ tall and plays the guitar like its going out of style.  Sometimes when I look at him I pray that God would help me to be as great a father to him (and Beaux) as my daddy was to me.

6.  The death of my Granny (July 19, 1994).  All of my other grandparents died either before I was born or when I was a small child.  She was the only grandparent I ever knew.  She was a fiesty, nosey, red-headed fireball who knew how to put you in your place.  She raised 9 kids in a 1 bedroom house.  And when she died, it seemed like the Taylor family lost the glue that held everything together.  I still miss her today!

7.  The day (December 19, 1994) I graduated from Southern Wesleyan University.  For most people this would have been a small task.  Their families kind of expected them to go to college and “make something of themselves”.  I was a little different in that respect, not many people in my family (at that point) had graduated from college.  We were not wealthy (poor, in other words) and most had no ambitions beyond working in the seafood industry.  However, God helped me to understand that what I was doing was going to help break a generational mindset that had plagued many in that area for years.  I’m so glad I hung in there!  Perseverence really does pay off.

8.  My ordination as a minister (July 26, 1996).  When a person is ordained as a minister it’s always a significant event.  However, the thing that made mine so special was when my daddy walked up to me, with tears streaming down his face, and told me he was proud of me.  That’s a moment I’ll take to my grave.  I can’t begin to tell you what that did for me.  I guess there’s a part of every son that longs to make their father proud…and that day…I did.

9.  The birth of my second child Beaux (November 10, 1999).  From the moment his personality began to take form I realized we had a “wild-child” on our hands.  He looks alot like Ashley but acts an awful lot like his daddy.  I was hoping I’d keep some of my hyper-active traits from passing on to the next generation of Taylors…I’m not sure it work.  He’s me made over!  God help us all!!!

10.  Finally…the death of my Daddy last month (September 17, 2007).  Everyday I think about him.  I know everyone thinks that there dad is the best and I respect that.  However, they didn’t have my daddy…he was the best!  All my life, no matter what I did, he was always there.  Whether it was a baseball game, football game, or track event…no matter what it was, he was there.

After he died I wondered why I wasn’t grieving as much as everyone else in the family.  I think it had alot to do with the fact that it hadn’t really hit me, even during the funeral service.  But over the last week or so I think it’s started sinking in.  I still look at my cell phone with his number programmed in it and realize I’ll never be able to call that number again.  I understand more and more everyday how important he was to me.  I also realize everyday how much I miss him.  I LOVE YOU DADDY!

Well, these events have been a significant part of my life.  I cannot imagine what I would be like had it not been for every one of them.  So, I encourage everyone to take the time to list their own significant events.  You’d be surprised at how much you have to be thankful for when you do this.

Have a great day!

Neal