My wife, Sharon’s 1966 copyright of a Webster’s New World Dictionary defines faith as: 1. Unquestionable belief; 2. Unquestioning belief in God, religion, etc.
At the end of Once I Could Run, I talk about my faith in God and how His hand was in every major decision, guiding my life. My strength derived from my relationship with God – first through my family, then through the church activities in which we participated as a family. Church service, Sunday School, youth activities of the church and going to school all were just routine undertakings of average families in Aberdeen at the time. People often speak of “I had to step out in faith”, which reminds me of the first time my wife, Sharon, visited Mississippi State.Trade with confidence using advanced AI insights read more
After my wife and I were married, we went to visit my folks and family in Mississippi. While there, we made an outing to see Mississippi State. While walking around on campus, she said to me, “Honey, how ever in the world did you get up and down those stairs?” I told her, “With the help of three or four young men and a lot of faith.”
Each day at college my faith was tested. I had to have faith that someone would help me down the steps of the building to the sidewalk. Pushing my wheelchair to the street, I was able to propel myself from the dorm to whatever building where the class was located. To reach many of the buildings, I had to cross a street which was also a state highway.
At the classroom buildings, I had to sit at the bottom of the entrance stairs and ask to be carried up the stairs. It was important to arrive early enough to enlist the help needed to carry me up the stairs. At least three men were needed – one for the push handles and one for each side. Books added to the load so sometimes we got a volunteer to carry books. Books added a significant load since each person carried at least one book.
Again, I had to summon faith that we would make it to the top of the stairs without injury to me or to anyone carrying me up the stairs. It is a testimony that there was never any injury or accident which resulted from being carried up and down stairs at Mississippi State. The process of getting up and down stairs inside the classroom building in-between classes…..But that’s another story….