Someone once asked, "do you ever wish you could go back to Freed-Hardeman?" (My undergrad university.) The basis of that question lies in the assumption that college is supposed to be the best four years of your life. While I enjoyed my college years - being surrounded by Christian friends, dating an amazing girl named Anna, learning to play pool, gaining experience in the pulpit ministry, dorm life, etc. - I can no longer say that those were the best years of my life. As you read this, take note that I am too far away for you to smack some sense into me, but, truth be told, my three years in law school have been the best three years of my life. Let me tell you about what has made me "me" over the last three years.
When I graduated from FHU in December of 03, I had no job lined up. I went on a mission trip to Lima, Peru in January 04, instead of beginning my job search. Upon my return, I landed a preaching position at the Brinkley Church of Christ in Brinkley, Arkansas, about an hour and a half from 'home'. I took the job and moved there in February. That summer I got a pool table and started working on shooting trick shots, hoping one day to compete professionally, but expecting the dream wouldn't come true until after law school. I took the LSAT and was admitted to the law school at memphis, to start the fall of 04. All the while I had a girl I was planning to marry. On that note, know that she was a great girl, we just had 'conflicting interests', we'll say, and I decided she wasn't the one. It was hard, and it hurt, but it was the right thing to do. I doubted my decision on occasion, but years later I am glad that wisdom prevailed, knowing now what I have accomplished instead.
So, all the while I'm in law school, studying hard, pushing myself to keep up with the rest of the class, most of which have only one task, and that's law school, I'm busy maintaining the ministry and chasing a dream on the pool table. In school, my grades didn't raise any eyebrows, but I've passed all my classes and gotten a few As. In two of my classes I got the highest grade, awarding me a CALI award to hang on the wall. That's pretty cool. I've excelled in oral advocacy, more than anything else, likely because of my preaching experience and my dynamic demeanor behind a podium. I really enjoyed moot court and mock trial. My partners, Jan and Carly, along the way, were great fun to work with. Funny story about that though, mock trial stuff. See, I didn't try out for Law Review or any other 'top of the class' kind of stuff, as I wouldn't have had the time to do it anyway. But, I did hope to be on Moot Court Board in my last semester. Only 20, I think, make it on board and you have to be of the best at oral/written advocacy to make it. Well, I made it! But, as soon as I made Board, we had to fill out 'conflict' sheets, to let the rest know when we'd be out of town. In the spring of 06, I was planning on competing in my first pro artistic pool tournament, and it conflicted with a few days when my services were needed on Board. I was given an ultimatum - resign, or forego the pro tournament. I went pro, and never turned back. I still competed in future oral advocacy competitions in school and got credit for it to go toward graduation. But, I sacrificed that one line on my resume so that I could chase a dream.
About that dream... I placed 13th in my first pro tournament - not bad for a first tourney in a field of 20 of the best. Then, May 14th 2006, I wrecked my motorcycle. It almost killed me. (See blog about the wreck for more.) Thanks be to God, I made a full recovery. I am now even more conscientious about safety on the bike and I praise God for giving me a second chance, as it were. After I recovered, I practiced all summer, and into the fall 07 semester for the 2007 World Artistic Pool Championship. In short, I took 3rd place and won the title WPA Masse World Champion! Praise Him! It is this recognition that got me an invitation to compete with Semih Sayginer, my hero, on the 3-cushion billiard table for ESPN. We are set to film "Artistic Billiards Grand Master" in Vegas in a month or so. All along the way, mind you, I've been traveling to perform my exhibition whenever possible - Eric Yow's Trick Shot Madness - and it has taken be to places like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida, with more invites coming in by the week. A colleague recently said, "just imagine what you could do if law school wasn't holding you back!" But, rest assured, I want to be a lawyer.
People ask, "what do you want to do - preach, play pool, or be a lawyer?" I answer, "yes." God has given me the ability for the last three years to do all three, and if He continues to do so, so be it. You only live once, so live!
As of less than two weeks ago, I have resigned from my position at the Brinkley Church, which has been my home for the last 3 years. It is different not being in the pulpit, it's different not being in Brinkley. I miss a lot of things about Brinkley. It's a small town, and I didn't have many friends my age, but when I moved away I left behind a part of me. About 10 houses down from my house in Brinkley lives my best friend, Tammy. She'll be my best friend until and beyond death. Over the last year, she and I have grown closer than any others I have known. Her daughter, Jackie, had a daughter, Emma-Grace Issabella (see blog about "perspective"). Emma-Grace is my goddaughter and is the most precious little girl in the world. I miss this family of mine. I also left behind my Church family, who, I trust, misses me as well. But, "God takes care of His people," I preached. I miss my 'other' family, the Henards, but I will be back in Brinkley on occasion to see those I love. Lord willing.
And so, I express to you, these last three years have been the best three years of my life. I haven't found a wife, I don't have a job, and I've yet to start worrying about whether I'll pass the bar exam - but in light of God's unimaginable blessings, I have no fear. He's taken care of me this far; He'll take care of me all along the way.
To those who ask "why" I do what I do - Because Jesus Lives (Colossians 3:17).