Sam Dean loves people! Some of the happiest times I have ever seen my Dad is when he is around church members, colleagues, family, and friends. Growing up, my friends loved to come and talk to my Dad. Reid Satterfield, a high school friend of mine, still talks to this day about how he loved to talk with “Brother Dean” growing up. Dad can relate to just about anyone - from a Carson Newman College Board Member to a homeless person off the street in Clinton. Pointing out the negative aspects of someone’s personality has never been Dad’s method of operation. He sees good in everyone. And when he tells you he loves you, he honestly means it!
My Dad has always been very interested in people’s personal journeys. It is not uncommon for him to strike up a conversation with a waitress at Cracker Barrel or Shoneys (his 2 frequent flyer restaurants!). He met one sweet lady at a restaurant not too long ago. As the dinner unfolded, he learned that the waitress had graduated as valedictorian of her class in high school. She was fortunate enough to be awarded several scholarships which would have provided her a free college education. Being young, she made some not so desirable choices, which resulted in her not taking advantage of her “golden ticket.” Several years later, as a single mom, she found herself working as a waitress, trying to attend night school, and be the best mom that her lifestyle would allow her to be. Dad was overtaken by her story. He was inspired by her journey and her resilience to try to turn her life around. My father and her engaged in a heart to heart conversation where Dad helped her determine some essential steps she needed to take in order to see her plan into completion. He even told her that he would be returning to the restaurant to check on her status. He left her a lofty tip, and I can only imagine that she was the topic of many of his prayers. Another time, Mom and Dad met a pregnant waitress at an Oak Ridge restaurant. Upon hearing her story, Mom and Dad left the restaurant and returned with fairly significant amount of cash to give her for maternity clothes and baby supplies. No questions, no judgements, no expectations - just a simple respect and understanding of the personal journey.
Dad has always said that everyone has his/her own story, or personal journey. Some have had more control over their journey than others. But regardless of the story, our past and present experiences shape us into the person we are today. Life events also shape our relationship with God - some for the better, some for the worse. Our journey shapes the beliefs that we have, the words that we speak, and the actions that we take. Some of this is on the conscience level, and some is not. We, as the recipient of someone’s actions, do not always know the internal struggles in which someone is facing. Dad has always recognized that people’s words, actions, and beliefs are usually symbolic of something bigger. He has always respected that there are stages to people’s emotional state. Some people are on a mountaintop, some are grieving, some are indifferent, and some are flat out angry at God. Instead of using this as a reason to avoid them, judge them, or even preach at them, my father has always respected their current placement in the journey of life. I have witnessed Dad, time and time again, embrace people where they are without judgement or criticism and offer them the grace of God.
We could all learn a great deal from Sam Dean. He has repeatedly said that life’s journey is hard and often not fair. He has never painted a picture that just because one is a Christian, life will be any easier. Life will throw each of us unexpected curve balls that ultimately shape the person we become. Our journey is ultimately between ourselves and the Heavenly Father. However, certain individuals can support us and assist us in taking smoother roads on this journey of life. Respecting the journey allows us to better understand the people around us. Not placing judgement allows us to support people struggling. After all, everyone has a story to tell, everyone wants their story to be heard, but ultimately, we all want someone to understand. It is by participating in the true understanding that we show the love of Christ.
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