Evan Miller - Appreciative Priorities

Who is it we really appreciate? A great question to ask, and no, this column is not a missed article from February. Thinking about the people that we appreciate and the folks that we are grateful to is not really hard to figure out. Most of the folks I know, including myself, appreciate the folks that do things for you.
For the past three weeks my computer has been in a self destruct mode. It all began with the first diagnosis. It appeared that my computer was over heating and it also appeared I was the reason for this. It seems that because I never turn my computer off, and because it appeared that it was not sit upon something that would properly allow air to be drawn from underneath the computer to cool the system, this was the issue. Seemed like an easy fix. The cost was estimated to be $10.19 for the part alone and that seemed reasonable enough. The repair order was made but it would only be a day or two before it appeared that replacement of that part was not going to be the fix-it-all I had prayed for.
Now I am not complaining, but you know how it goes. The day was soon two days, then it was a week, and well, you get the picture. The one thing that was certain, my computer man was on addressing the problem. Areas of expertise are what an individual goes to school for. Areas of expertise are why we are able to demand fees and charges for our services. Areas of expertise also become the reason why such studied and skill workers are able to tell unlearned computer folks like myself that I will need to be patient and wait. Me, waiting, well this is not my specialty, but nevertheless, I find my self developing that talent as time passes because of the assistance of others. Having written this for the official record, I confess, my computer expert Evan Miller, has made me a totally happy satisfied restored computer user. Thus he has my total appreciation.
What has created this column is the fact that I am most thankful for Evan and his work to get my computer back up and running. Sure, he resorted my computer files, recaptured my contacts, emails, pictures, and all my word documents. Yes, without his assistance I would have lost paperwork and communications that I deem important and some irreplaceable. I really appreciate his efforts, skills and time he devoted to my cause.
As I think about my appreciation for him as my ‘computer guy”, I am taken back as I think about the folks we appreciate. Considering the fact that we appreciate folks that do simple things and skilled work on our behalf, Why would we not be as grateful to a man who would become our Savior, removed all our sins, restore us to a solid standing, give us re-birth to a new inheritance, and held all we had done against us no more? It is a valid question that desires an answer with due respect to my appreciation for my computer expert. Jesus, the Master Expert of forgiveness of sin. Jesus, the Expert in new beginnings, Jesus, a friend that sticks by closer than a brother. Why we would not be appreciative even more so to Jesus than a friend from down the street.
Not sure if you appreciate Jesus or not. I have been convicted that if I am not careful, it may very well my appreciative list is not in proper order. Personally, I am thinking this is a perfect day to get things squared away, whether my computer is working or not.

Until then

Jerry Wayne Garland, Sr. "Unexpected Events of Life"

Unexpected events in life provide smiles, memories and heartache. The announcement of a pregnancy brings a smile as a new journey and experience begins. Memories of a time and place create laughter that fills the air as you think about a time that will no doubt ever be duplicated again. Heartache is also involved in the events of life. Heartache could begin with the loss of a game involving sports to the full spectrum of life’s events, including the loss of life.
The name, Jerry Wayne Garland, Sr., provides all three of the life providing experiences I have written. Certainly the people of Knox County, where his family originates and their family roots are solid with a strong background may feel the direct impact of his death, but throughout Southeastern Kentucky his interest and investments have also been impacted because of his vision, leadership and willingness to volunteer and be a part of things all over, and not just his direct community.
Name a city or county in Southeastern Kentucky and it will take just a second to name a business, special project, an organization or individuals that his involvement mattered. One of the strengths of his name, Jerry Wayne Garland, Sr., is not the focus of his individual interest, as there were many. His strength being reflected with these expected events is his interest is others. He enjoyed watching others become successful in pursuit of their goals. He enjoyed being a part of the achievement of others without any public acknowledgment or credit. Something that is very rare, but something that many, I included, experienced and now reflect. From the use of equipment; helping to level apiece of land; cleaning out a ditch; pulling a car down the road; or providing a listening ear to a neighbor or passing stranger; Jerry Wayne Garland, Sr., was a person that made a difference in the lives of many. Not mentioned until now are the employees through his various business ventures. Their lives through employment and benefits have certainly been impacted positively too.
Smiles, memories and heartache. If it were possible to eliminate the negative events from our lives I am certain many of us would have signed up yesterday. Life is a journey here on earth that has many unexpected events that fill each day, week, month and year. Some are welcomed events even though unexpected while others one would plan for a permanent delay if possible.
If your life was touched by Jerry then you understand fully where my words are coming from as I describe a friend that we found in him. The disciples in a moment of walking down the mountain were pressing Jesus to keep moving forward within the crowd. Jesus however didn’t listen to them and stopped to touch people on the way in His journey. It was good to have someone like Jerry pass my way and I’m glad he stopped in my life.

Until then