One of My Teachers

I thought I stood in a long line to vote the other day. Another line is already forming by knot headed boys wanting to go out with this gal pictured here. Trust me this line will get longer and longer. When I got to the end of my line the other day – all I had to do was vote. When they get to the end of this line I’m afraid they will be met by a dad carrying a big stick.

In fact it is already happening.

Her dad told me today that two guys came to their house just recently. He nonchalantly told them that he was her dad and he had been to jail before and he is not afraid to go again. And he was not kidding.

I suspect they got the message.

Her gorgeous looks are obvious. On a 1 -10 scale, she is at least a 20. And if they gave an award at Southside Church for Miss Congeniality – she would win that hands down too. She never meets a stranger and has a personality that will take her further than she could possibly know. Take it from someone who has been around the block a time or two - this girl is the complete package. And she is just getting started.

I’ve been fortunate to have a front row seat watching Chaley Bibb grow up. My wife taught her in the third grade and Chaley insists that “Miss Kathy” was her favorite teacher. When we moved to Warner Robins, Chaley was 10 years old. She and her former teacher were very happy to be united again. Her dad, Charlie, is one of the pastors on staff at our church and had previously been a pastor at a church in my home land of Taylor County. Being the undertaker I am, I knew Charlie and his wife Connie long before Charlie became one of my pastors.

By the way, Charlie and Connie have another special daughter. Caitlyn was born with a disease that is related to Muscular Dystrophy. She cannot walk and she cannot see. I have had the privilege to watch Chaley tenderly take care of her little sister. It has been one of the most incredible things I have ever witnessed. I have watched her so many times as she became Caitlyn’s legs and eyes. The genuine love between these two sisters will cause a lump in your throat. And I am very thankful I’ve had such a great vantage point.

Chaley learned early on that life was not just about her but also about the opportunities God puts in her path to make a difference in the life of someone else. I can tell you that most 16 year olds have not learned that lesson.

Chaley could teach it.

The truth is she has been teaching me since she was 10 years old. I've been fortunate to have several teachers along the way. This 16 year old girl is definitely one of them.