Doug Creamer column: Stepping back to my past

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 28, 2022

By Doug Creamer

I recently received an email from a colleague at East Davidson High School. My colleague informed me that one of my former students had won a scholarship, and had mentioned me as a role model in his life during the interview process for the scholarship. My colleague wondered if I would like to come back to East and present the scholarship to him. How could I turn down that opportunity?

East Davidson has their awards day in the gym on what is typically the hottest day of the year. I attended 18 of those events, and began to wonder if sitting in that hot gym was actually what I wanted to do. Thankfully, God had mercy on everyone and delivered a cooler day.

After I arrived and checked in, I started to bump into old friends and colleagues. It was so wonderful to see people who I had worked alongside, and to have a few minutes to catch up. We talked about how things had changed since I retired. Some of my colleagues talked about how COVID had affected them, their families and how they taught through it. They were all glad that things were settling down some and they were getting back to what we all remember as routines.

I had the opportunity to personally thank a few people who served as references for my current job. I deeply appreciate their help and have great respect for the role they played in my life. I count it an honor and privilege to be considered their colleague and friend.

When I walked into the gym to find my seat, a former student waved me over to sit with him. David was also a DECA member who did very well at both the district and state DECA competitions. He graduated and is now attending N.C. State. It was wonderful to talk with him and to hear about his hopes and dreams — another Golden Eagle who is soaring.

As David and I talked, we realized that we were both there to honor the same student. I taught Matthew when he was a freshman. He was in my principles of business class. His grades were outstanding, just like I heard from other teachers about his character. He always worked hard in my classroom and was a very respectful young man. Matthew stayed in contact with me after I retired because he has a dream to publish a book.

After the ceremony, I got the opportunity to talk with him. He has his college and career plans firmly in place. We shared about our lives since I retired. He is still the same respectful young man I knew when I taught him. By the time you read this in the paper, he will be another Golden Eagle soaring from the nest at East Davidson.

Several colleagues asked if I missed East Davidson. I miss seeing my colleagues and teaching students like Matthew and David, but that chapter of my life has come to a close. I am thankful for the experiences, opportunities and the memories that will never fade. Now I find myself on a new adventure, a new chapter that I am thoroughly enjoying.

I think it is important for us to look back at our past. We have learned so much in our spiritual journey, and we need to remind ourselves of our victories. God wants us to have a strong faith, so he will allow us to face challenges. Our job is to remember how God helped us in the past and know and trust that he will help us through our current trials.

It is also good to reflect back on our prayers and see the many ways and times that God has answered our prayers. Our prayers change situations and circumstances. Why? Because we have a God who delights to answer our prayers. Battles are won in prayer through persistence and perseverance. It is good to review our victories and refresh our faith in troubled times.

I want to encourage you to look back on your life and look for the many times and ways God has come through for you in critical moments. Looking back, we can often see God’s hand guiding us through the difficult times. He is always with us. He promises never to leave or forsake us. He is always making good plans for our future. God wants us to have a good trip through life, but he knows that there will be some bumps along the way. Looking back we can see His faithfulness and that will help us trust him as we move forward into our future.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041 or doug@dougcreamer.com.