I just went to the 20th reunion of the South Grand Prairie High School Class of '88. Our class had about 750 people in it and when I walked across that graduation stage, I never saw most of those classmates again. I wasn't really interested in the 10 year reunion and couldn't have attended anyway. But I've gotten pretty nostalgic over the last few years, you might even call it stuck. I have really been looking forward to this reunion to reconnect with the people that I grew up with.
We went to the Fort Worth Stockyards and there were about 50 people there. It was amazing that so many of them seemed to be about the same as when we left off, a little road weary and maybe wiser for the wear. In typical fashion, I was all about working the room and wanted to make sure there was no one that I missed out on talking with.
They gave out a few awards, one of which was "Person Most Changed" that they voted to give to me. I'm all about life-change, but I wasn't really sure how to take this. Now, I know they don't mean maturity, because I've certainly never grown up. Even though some of them acted surprised that I'm a pastor, I have no idea why, because I was pretty much doing the same things then that I am now: trying to connect people to Jesus.
I am just guessing that it's just because I lost all my hair. One person even said, "I remember you, you had that perfect head of hair." Hey, it's something to be remembered for. I hope that I have changed in more ways than just my physical appearance. The power for real change can only come from God. Ephesians 1:19-20 says, "I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s
power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead."
It was also cool to see that some of the class is living for Jesus. I really hope to stay connected with people this time around. And I'm already looking forward to my next reunion in, yikes, 2018!
Didn’t you star in the Breakfast Club?
BTW, Are you going to Catalyst?
Cole – if you remember, I contacted you a few months ago doing research for our staff retreat on various churches mentioned in ‘Pop Goes the Church’. Well, talk about a small world – I nearly fell over this morning when I read your post.
SGP, class of ’81.
I grew up on Kirby Creek Drive, not far from the school. Eventually my parents bought a house on Parkridge, over by the country club – after I’d gone to college.
Small world….