Just Tryin' To Be A Blessing

By Jerry Waddell

If today your life seems adrift, and your direction in life often appears uncertain,
then simply go back to some of the basic rules of life.
Get out of the way and follow the leader. That leader being Jesus Christ, of course.
It will be the greatest decision you have ever made.

When life becomes busy or chaotic, we often forget how good life can be if we just take time to reflect on the people, the places, the circumstances, our treasured memories, and all the other little things that make life grand.

In a collection of varied writings, Jerry Waddell leans on his faith to inspire others to look back at the roads traveled and ponder all the people who have enriched their lives. While offering encouragement to give thanks for countless blessings and view the future with a positive outlook, Waddell shares personal stories, scripture, nuggets of wisdom, and life lessons that enhance spiritual well-being and provide comfort that God is always with us.

Just Tryin’ to Be a Blessing shares entertaining stories, scripture, and other insights from a man of faith with a passion for lifting the hearts and spirits of believers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798385006236

Jerry Waddell

Jerry Waddell is an executive in the trucking industry who was recognized by the American Trucking Association in 2013 as the National Safety Director of the Year. He and his wife of nearly fifty years have three daughters, nine grandchildren, and reside in Yadkinville, North Carolina, where they attend church and Jerry serves as chairman of the deacons. He is also a member of Gideons International.

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Copyright © 2023 Jerry Waddell.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0621-2 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0622-9 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0623-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023916356

WestBow Press rev. date: 09/21/2023

CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Here’s What’s Inside

They All Love Strawberries

What If There Were Two?

Be Real Still and Don’t Fall Out of the Barn

Let Your Little Light Shine

Beyond the Gates

Follow the Leader

Those Blue M&M’s

The Boys 1, 2, and 3

The Wit and Wonder of JDG

When My Feet Wouldn’t Touch the Floor

Happy Birthday!

My Mother’s Day … with Dad

Life Around Our Old House

Mildred and Friends

I’ve Heard That Name Before

Me and My Machine

’Til Our Storm Passed By

This Won’t Hurt a Bit

That’s Just Where It Goes

Me and Grandma’s Rock

See You at the House

Just a Few Words ’bout My Buddy Ted!

My Mother’s Day Card to Mom—May ’86

Word of the Day

It Works! (No, It Does Not.)

My Ole Buddy Bones

Things Papa Told Me When I Was a Boy

Believe Me—She Was Not Happy

It was the night before Thanksgiving 2018

It Was Driver Error

They Want to See Your Sermon and Mine

A Look at Some Steps on a Ladder of Years

Sometimes Tough Decisions Have to Be Made … Now

There Will Be Winners and There Will Be Losers

Test Your Knowledge

Acknowledgements

FOREWORD

I have known Jerry Waddell all of my life. We are part of the same church family at Shady Grove Baptist Church. His precious wife, Gail, is also a second cousin of mine. Through the years I have watched Jerry live out his faith and demonstrate a heart of servant leadership, evidenced by many roles, not the least of which is serving as Shady Grove’s current chairman of deacons as well as a dedicated member of Gideons International.

If you are around Jerry for any amount of time, you will see his love for God and for people quickly manifest. He will likely ask you about events going on in your life and whether or not there is anything that you need. I have been the recipient of his generosity on multiple occasions, whether it be delivering a gallon of fresh-picked strawberries, secretly picking up my restaurant bill, or chipping in to help ship more Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes!

More often than not, when he speaks aloud of the goodness of our Lord, his voice will begin to crack, and his lip will slightly quiver as a cry of thankfulness and words of testimony come forth. This emotion and passion for the gospel of Jesus has helped Jerry pen such meaningful anecdotes. In reading these stories born from Jerry’s personal experiences, you, too, will be able to reflect, rejoice, and count your blessings.

As you read about times from Jerry’s growing up as well as special moments spent as a husband, dad, grandpa, and even football referee, don’t be surprised to find yourself smiling and chuckling on one page and getting teary-eyed on the next. You might even decide to move your water hose to a different spot! I must say that, after reading, I believe you’ll agree that Jerry has succeeded in trying to be a blessing.

—Karen Spencer

PREFACE

Believe it or not, some people have suggested that I publish a book. Here are just a few of their thoughts.

You’re an amazing teller of stories and life. Thank you for this good read.

~ TRACI D. ~

Wise words of wisdom.

~ CHARLES C. ~

Loved this, Jerry Wayne! Keep writing. I enjoy reading! ♥♥

~ GRACE ANN C. ~

Well said words of wisdom.

~ CHRIS B. ~

Thank you for these wonderful stories and poems that put a smile on my face and a bright beginning to my day.

~ ANGELA S. ~

Really good. You are Shady Grove’s poet laureate - a poet appointed to, or regarded unofficially as holding, an honorary representative position in a particular country, region, or group. ♥

~ MONNA H. ~

Family stories are the best. Please add more. Think about publishing some.

~ TOMMY JO P. ~

Publish your writings.

~ JON B. ~

I love this.

~ D.S.J.L. ~

I will buy the first copy.

~ JANICE B. ~

The wordsmith strikes again! Good stuff, Jerry! ❤

~ KAREN S. ~

What great thoughts! 💕

~ TANYA B. ~

No doubt came from the heart!

~ CHRIS S. ~

Heartfelt. Thanks for sharing! 💕

~ GAYLE T. ~

You truly have a gift of expression!

~ LISA S. ~

Jerry, you need to put these in a book for all to enjoy!

It came from the heart.

~ LOIS V. ~

It’s time You got started. There is your title.

~ GAIL W. ~

Okay … Publish These Pearls!

~ D.S.J.L. ~

I get the picture.

~ J.W.W. ~

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever noticed that some folks seem at times to work under the following guidance: To him that tooteth not his horn, the same shall not be tooted.

My mother once said, Don’t toot your own horn. I vividly remember those words, and I have applied that principle.

I assure you with all honesty that neither fame nor fortune were the reason that I chose to put ink on the paper. Neither do I wish to borrow your bugle.

Some of the many reasons for my writing this book have already been mentioned along with priceless words of encouragement from many others. As a side note, when you are age sixty-nine and you hear words such as "It’s time you got started," that should be taken seriously.

I trust that the content found herein will inspire you and yours to give credit where credit is due to all those people, for all those opportunities you have been afforded, and for all those situations that brought you to where you are today.

May this publication inspire you to look forward to your future and to reflect upon the roads you’ve traveled and all those people who have enriched your life beyond measure. May the words presented encourage you as well, to give thanks for those countless blessings the Good Lord has sent your way that have served to brighten the path you travel today, as well as the one you will travel tomorrow.

Don’t be surprised if you have to stop for a minute to laugh because of something you considered humorous is found here. Perhaps you will have to wipe a few tears away or simply, in your own special way, ponder a bit and actually take a good look at your world and the beauty thereof.

I assure you