This May, my wife Pamela and I will celebrate 22 years of marriage. Shortly after saying our “I do’s,” we traveled with her mom and grandparents to a little town called Waycross. The Waycross/Blackshear area was where my wife’s family roots originated.
“Where in the world is Waycross?” I asked Pamela. She unfolded a map and showed me and I stood in amazement at the distance we were about to travel. Having lived in Middle Tennessee my whole life and never venturing far from home, it felt like we were driving to the end of the world (Tifton) and then taking a left. After exiting the interstate, we passed through several small towns. As we drove through Enigma, Pearson, and other places, the Andy Griffith theme song played in the back of my mind. “Willacoochee? Who is naming these towns?” I thought to myself.
Finally, we saw a sign: “Welcome to Waycross”. It was 2003, and for the first time, I received the grand tour of Waycross and Ware County. The trip was short, but something about this charming little city tugged at my heart. The people were different—genuinely friendly and down-toearth. The food was so good it made you mad: mad that you were full and couldn’t eat more!
“If the Lord ever allows us, I want to move to Waycross or Blackshear one day,” my wife said.
I thought she had lost her mind. I knew she had family roots here, but Tennessee had been our home all our lives! My response was something along the lines of, “Yeah, sure, okay.”
Visit here? Sure. Live here? Eh, that’s a no from me. However I must admit, I found myself developing a strong interest in Waycross, Blackshear and the surrounding areas.
Over the years, we made countless trips, though sadly, many were to say goodbye to loved ones the Lord called home. One of the most impactful losses was in 2008, my wife’s grandfather, “Grandpa” Ed Dial. It was actually the first funeral I ever preached. I had pastored in Tennessee for five years, but never had I preached a funeral.
While sitting on the front porch of Pearson-Dial Funeral Home during the visitation time, my wife and I talked about how great it would be to relocate, however the timing just wasn’t right.
Through ministry crossroads, adopting two beautiful children, and seeing my wife receive the gift of life through a kidney transplant, I’ve learned that while we concern ourselves with time, God is in control and concerned with the timing. Psalm 31:15 says, “My times are in thy hand.” Our life events are in God’s hands and control. If we allow Him, He will guide us in the right direction.
Little did we know that just over a year ago, our lives were about to change drastically.
Fast forward to 2023. I had pastored a couple of churches part-time, and both my wife and I had worked at a Christian publishing company for over 20 years. We felt the Lord was closing that chapter of our lives. Then, on December 6, my strongest family tie in Tennessee, my daddy, passed away unexpectedly. Losing a parent changes everything.
A few weeks later, we came to Waycross for a short visit. It was then that the Lord seemed to give us the peace to relocate. Many things had to fall into place, but everything worked out perfectly. April of 2024, we became residents of South Georgia, and we couldn’t be happier.
I share this story to introduce myself, as I have been allowed the privilege to periodically write for the newspaper, but I also desire to express my love for Waycross, Blackshear, and the surrounding areas. I am thankful each day to reside here, raise our two daughters here, and to pastor at Southside Baptist in Waycross. For those of us who call this area home, I believe we are truly blessed. This ole Tennessee boy loves everything about living here in South Georgia, apart from the fire ants.
Though she spoke of Kansas, Dorothy was right: “there’s no place like home!”
