Our New Friend Brack

By Creg

Brack Daniels has been staying with my parents at their house for the last 3 months, on good weekends he has his 6 year old son, Harlem, with him. We met Brack at Faithworks, a non-profit organization that teaches work & social skills with a spiritual emphasis to the underemployed, when we delivered a lunch there. He graduated on Tuesday and afterward was baptized at Jacob's dream at ACU. What a night to remember. He was one of five chosen to make a speech about his life story. Here it is:

"As I live today chasing moments, valuing togetherness, overcoming all obstacles, I think back to the biggest opportunity missed in my life.  I was eleven years old when my mother decided for us to relocate to Columbus, Ohio for a fresh start. I can still remember her words to this day: "Son, you're the man of the house now." It was like I went from being a momma's boy, sucking on my thumb and playing with her ear to fall asleep at night to being something that I never was truly introduced to...a real man. But that's not to say it wasn't possible.  I complained about everything...not having name-brand clothes, shoes and being able to do and have what other kids had. Instead of looking at the most precious blessing in my life, which was a strong mother, who was willing to walk to work every morning through the blistering cold snow to provide for her family. It was that selfishness that caused me not to be there for my daughter and having to serve five consecutive years in prison.While I was incarcerated, my mother would blame herself for me rightfully being where I deserved to be for my debt owed to society.

After being released in 2012, I fell back into some of the same traps. Weeks prior to signing up for FaithWorks, I was shot by two men seeking to rob me of drugs and money. My initial reaction was, "They're gonna die for what they did to me!" Then I thought back to an analogy that reminded me of my self worth. Life is similar to being in traffic. Everyone has his own lane. But there's gonna come a time when a reckless driver attempts to play chicken with you. Your pride and ego will tell you, "Don't back down!" But the Spirit of the Lord will say, "Pull over! Be still and allow that person to go ahead."

To everyone here tonight, life has value, purpose and meaning. FaithWorks has reminded me of my own. As an overcomer, I couldn't have done it by myself. First I must thank the Creator above for all the divine connections He has placed in my life:

*Paul Mathis, as the FaithWorks instructor, who walked with me when the rest of the world walked on me.

*The Istre Family for having the biggest impact on my life over the last two and a half months.

I can finally breathe now, with assurance that I am more than smart. For a smart man prides himself in getting out of a situation that a wise man would never put himself in.

I can finally breathe with assurance that now given a second chance at being a father, the men in my life today are fully equipping me for the job.

I can finally breathe now in the contentment FaithWorks has provided me with a full-time job at RenTech and has brought me to this very moment today.

My baptism signifies me being dead to sin and alive through Christ.

Walking in wisdom is to walk in grace.

Submitting to God is how we seek His face.

Christ set the ultimate standard to how we should live.

So today, this life of mine, Lord to You I give."