This post was inspired by an episode of Beyond the To Do List featuring host Erik Fisher and guest Robert Smith. They discussed Robert’s book 20,000 Days and Counting 
The Top 10 days of my first 14,000
1. January 1990-The day Christ saved me.
I had been baptized and going to church all of life. I had made a profession of faith at a young age that was followed by countless trips of “rededication” to the altar. Finally, on this night in Ridgecrest, NC I found my heart “strangely warmed” years before I even knew who John Wesley was. Elvis’ half brother was the speaker, but I don’t remember anything he said. I remember hearing God’s voice for the first time in that decision room, after I had already filled out the “rededication” card. He clearly said,”you have nothing to rededicate.” Through tears and sobs I confessed my sins and learned what grace truly is. Best. Day. Ever.
2. August 21, 1999-Wedding day
The whole 24 hours from the rehearsal dinner to arriving in Charleston, SC for our honeymoon seems like a dream. I slept on my roommates bedroom floor since my room had already been rented out. We played ball, conducted a lively fantasy football draft, and I foolishly arrived at the church 4 hours early. Why was that foolish? Because I started reading “Left Behind” in the church library and pondering if seeing “Runaway Bride” the night before would have any impact on Karen. From my Michael Jordan tux to ice cream Sundaes to a family portrait for the ages to the girl of my dreams. It doesn’t get any better than that.
3. Tie-September 23, 2003 and February 9, 2007-Birth of my children.
Nothing prepares you for having kids. Especially those silent moments when your wife has been wheeled away and your left to change into a blue uniform. I remember quoting scripture to calm my nerves and making a few new ones up along the way. With the twins, we were at the doctor’s office at 9 and having babies at 11:45 and 11:48. That’s why you pack a hospital bag, prepare the nursery, and figure out the car seats ahead of time. Somehow my wife delivered over 12 pounds of children that day…a day we never thought we would see. I still panic sometimes thinking I got them confused at birth, but fortunately, Milena developed a birthmark the first few days. With Drake, it was a scheduled C-Section that happened a few days early. Karen was being checked for contractions and the doctor figured…”well, you’re already at the hospital, let’s do this.” This was different because of a pilot program that allowed Karen and I to spend some precious moments with Drake privately before revealing him to the world. This caused massive panic for our families and almost got Karen’s sister thrown out of a restricted area taking pics like a paparazzi. When we got home with Drake it was to a remodeled house thanks to the great people of Alive Wesleyan Church. A new kitchen and bedroom made the transition from 2 to 3 kids much smoother. I never thought I’d have any kids let alone be blessed with 3 great ones.
5. Tie-June 1991 and July 1999-Call to Ministry and Ordination
This is a tie because they are major bookmarks on the journey. I went to youth camp in 1991 with no idea of what ministry was, how one was called, or what my future held. After a spiritual gifts test, godly counsel, and a God moment in a field I reluctantly embraced the call upon my life. I’ve never doubted that day at White Oak or God’s call, but there have been plenty of times I have doubted myself and God’s logic. My ordination service was attended by all of my family. My lone surviving grandparent informed me that night that I was an answer to prayer. She had prayed for a Wesleyan minister to come out of our family. I had no idea until that night that she had grown up in a Wesleyan church…the church I now pastor. From the look of pride on my mom’s face, to the beauty of my fiance’ taking vows with me, to the grandeur of Table Rock it is a night that ended one chapter of the journey and started a brand new one.
7. June 1998-Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park
It was the road trip of road trips. Me and Kerry Traynum in a Nissan Stanza on a quest to visit the 3 major sports halls of fame while catching baseball games in between. 2 rules: We only stayed at Days Inn and you could only eat ballpark hot dogs or McDonald’s quarter pounders. Here’s the itinerary:
Tuesday-Drive to Pittsburgh for Pirates vs Mets. Game interrupted by a tornado that I’m pretty sure we saw.
Left the game and drove to Canton, Ohio.
Wednesday-Football Hall of Fame, drive to Toronto for Blue Jays vs. Tigers. Got to see Roger Clemens pitch. Left the game and drove through the night where we stayed in the state park adjacent to Cooperstown, New York. Slept in the car and…
Thursday-Baseball Hall of Fame, drive to Boston for Red Sox vs. Orioles at Fenway Park. Boston has the craziest traffic in history. This is before the Fenway renovations so I was awed but not impressed.
Friday-Basketball Hall of Fame and drive to Yankee Stadium for Yankees-Marlins. This 24 hour period from Fenway to Yankee stadium is the tops. Kerry and I are Red Sox fans who truly hate the Yankees. As we entered the tunnel to our seats and the field came into view we both teared up. I can’t explain or defend it. It was overwhelming. I felt like I was part of history. Monument park was awesome and Daryl Strawberry hit a home run. We played catch on the baseball fields adjacent to the stadium before the game. One day, I’ll do the same thing with my son and I hope it impacts him like it did me. When that day comes, it will be on this list.
Saturday-drive to Baltimore for Orioles vs. Braves. Saw Greg Maddux shag fly balls during batting practice, a beer man get seriously injured trying to carry too much beer up the steps, and several Hall of Famers play. Got sunburned sitting in the bleachers, but that’s part of the experience.
Sunday-drive home
8. June 28, 2012-Northwest District Camp Concussion
Looking back, it’s almost scripted. Youth camp speaker gets knocked out, taken to the hospital, and returns to give an inspiring message. Most people who suffer concussions are fuzzy about the event. Not me. I remember nearly every single detail about that day, the moment of impact, coming to, and the ambulance ride. I don’t remember everything I said in the sermon, but I remember feeling like it was important for me to speak that night. I was certain that’s what God wanted when the doctor gave me the all clear. I hope I never have PTSD again, but I am grateful for God bringing things into focus through this accident. It’s amazing the perspective you get in 30 seconds of unconsciousness.
9. Summer 1980-Disney World
Alan McAlister and I made a return trip here while in college. I would give lots of money to find the tape of the movie we made that week-“Rednecks in Florida.” However, when I was 5, I saw Mickey Mouse in person for the first time. It was a complete accident. I believe this was before the days when 15 Mickey’s would arrive at scheduled times and places throughout the park. No, we just happened to be walking through Cinderella’s castle when that mug popped out of a side door. The picture of Alan and I with the mouse is poorly shot, but the memory of my mom saying,”We’ve been waiting 5 years for this” is engrained in our memories forever. The other thing about that day is I chickened out of Space Mountain. I cried like a baby to get out of a line and my mother obliged. I remember watching Alan getting off the ride with the biggest grin ever. I immediately regretting my decision, but made up for it on our return trip.
10. August 15, 2013-Day 13,999
It’s been a few months since I put day 14,000 on my calendar. I had big plans. I had things to get done. It snuck up on me. I am keenly aware today of all of the blessings that God has given me. Too much of our focus, time, and energy is spent on the blessings God has not given us. What a pity. Watching the Duck Dynasty season premiere #redneckrenewal last night gave me goosebumps. Seeing the love that Phil and Kay Robertson have for each other and their family is a model to strive for. The plan is to spend day 14,000 school shopping in Commerce, Ga with my family. There will be fussing and fighting I’m sure amongst our kids. There will be debates about what shirts are appropriate for school and how much is too much to pay for a binder. There will be multiple moments of calling my son’s name with no response or acknowledgement on his part because he is enraptured with something. There will be a moment when I have to pick one of the kids up and I realize how big and heavy they are getting. It will probably be a day that blends in like so many others. That’s not a bad day. That’s not a bad life…and there’s plenty more to come. Don’t worry about counting all the days so much as making all the days count.
To see how many days you’ve lived check out this page. What’s your best day? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.