I have been out of Freed-Hardeman as an undergraduate for 16 years. I loved my time at FHU, it was so much fun. I learned so much, grew in my faith, and matured as a man. I honestly don’t have many regrets from my time there.
But there were lots of friends and contacts over my 4.5 years in undergraduate and even more years in graduate education. I know I often played favorites and was at times judgmental regarding the “coolness” of a fellow student. It may have been social, athletic, spiritual, academic, or lifestyle factors that influenced how I treated others or engaged others. Now, the purpose of this post is not to confess poor treatment of others, though if I wronged anyone from those years, please forgive me. Honestly, I believe overall I did a good job of being kind, warm, and accepting.
But the point of this post is to encourage young people (hopefully, some will read this), and us older folks now to remember that you never know how present relationships will come back to you later in life.
This truth has been impressed upon me so much over the last 10 years. It is so neat how many folks I didn’t have a close relationship with at FHU or run with very much have come back into my life through the church or business in the last 10 years. Many of these people I have needed and have been a blessing to me. They are the youth leaders, deacons, preachers now in the church and you don’t want a bad reputation from years in the past.
We have members of the church here and throughout this county that were in school with me at FHU. Many are active in business and the church and those friendships are real blessings.
I guess the point is that you are sewing seeds of kindness and goodness now into relationships. Do as Jesus taught us to the highest and the lowest in your estimation. Treat others as you want to be treated. Your actions now will impact your future. The kindness you show very well may come back to bless you later. The reputation you maintain will either harm or bless your future. This truth is one reason why your personality, character, and kindness will take you farther in life than any degree you get in college.
By the way, for all the FHU friends I took skiing on my boat over the years — I don’t have a boat anymore and if you want to pay a little ski trip back, I am waiting for your call. But be aware, I have multiplied, now I come in a package of 6! Haha!!
