Looking For Their Sam

For years, I’ve enjoyed learning from the experiences of older men and have benefited from the opportunity to spend time with them. I’ve been blessed to have a handful of men in my life really reach out and invest in me. But, today I want to tell you about my friend, Sam.

Sam has certainly been one of the most influential people in my life. Sam isn’t seminary trained nor does he have years of pastoral experience. As a matter of fact, Sam has sold insurance for as long as I’ve known him. He and his wife, Robyn, have two children. When they were younger, Sam’s son was the ring bearer in our wedding and his daughter was the flower girl. Robyn is one of the sweetest ladies you’ll ever meet and their kids are incredibly kind and cool. Quite simply, we just love being around them.

Their family has always opened their home to us over the years. I’ve had lighthearted football-watching visits at Sam and Robyn’s house. And I’ve also had some gut wrenching, conversation-laden visits, too. Sam’s always been available to chat. He’s always been quick to listen and slow to speak when I’ve come to him in times of need.

Sam and I met soon after I committed my life to Christ at the age of 16. He met with me and a group of other high school guys every Saturday morning. Sam was committed to our group and he was adamant that we be committed to it as well. I specifically remember a time when he came and picked me up in the snow just to make sure that I made it to our small group that morning. Sam taught us the Bible and would ask us tough questions about our walk with Christ. These meetings were foundational in my spiritual development.

But, it didn’t stop there. Sam has always gone out of his way to check in on me over the years. When we lived in the same city, it was rare for us not to have lunch together a couple times a month. Over the years, he has pointed me towards Truth and directed me towards Christ. He has partnered Biblical advice with personal application all while using humor to help keep things in perspective. Sam has taught me with both his words and his actions.

After moving to Nashville, Sam and I have still kept in touch. Sometimes we’re just catching up and sometimes I’m picking his brain for advice. Whenever we are back in Knoxville, we always try our best to visit with Sam and his family. They do the same when they are in the Nashville area. Wherever I’ve been, Sam has taken initiative to pour his life into me.

I’m not really sure that Sam ever set out to be this person in my life. But, the point is, he truly is a mentor to me. I’m confident that he wouldn’t think of himself in that way, but he certainly should. I’ve looked to him for spiritual advice and for practical advice as well. He helped me build a financial budget when preparing to ask Carrie’s dad for permission to marry her. That’s been years ago and yet just last week I called Sam for advice about life insurance. It seems that we’ve covered everything else in-between from work related questions, to parenting issues, to an assortment of other random topics.

I’m really grateful to God for Sam and our friendship. I’m thankful that he has chosen to take an interest in me. I’m not sure that Sam really knows how much he means to me, but I will forever be impacted because of it.

As you read this, I wonder how many people around you are desperately looking for the Sam in their life.

Research has shown that young adults are looking for mentors and friends of all ages who have gone through the experiences in which they are about to engage. They are searching for truth that helps them live well on a daily basis. I pray that you have someone that is mentoring you, even if it is informally. In addition, I really challenge you to make a plan for pouring your life into the next generation. Young adults are not only interested in the older generation, but they also want to be of interest.

In conclusion, Sam continues to challenge and inspire me to this day. In just another example of his obedience to the Lord and his passion for others, he is leaving his extremely successful business at the height of what most people would consider great success. But for Sam, success is defined differently. It’s defined by fulfillment and it’s defined by living out God’s will for his life. For this reason, you won’t find Sam closing another huge business deal this spring. Instead, you will find him being a substitute school teacher pouring his life into another generation and seeking what God has in store for him next.

Thanks for continuing to teach me, Sam.