In Proverbs 3: 5-6, we are admonished to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” NKJV, Bible

Let me share how I arrived at this time and place where I’m posting to a blog on a website about a book I’ve written on how to choose stocks wisely. I earned my first car by age 17 from mowing lawns…..lots of them. Planning to start a lawn business for my career after I finished high school, I had no desire to go to college. Manicuring a yard, then stepping back and looking at the finished job was remarkably satisfying. The yard business never happened after high school, though.

My dad wanted me to go to college so I went my first year to the local junior college. I did well but still wanted to start that lawn business. My dad talked me into going off to the university for my second year. That year, I didn’t do as well and he was more than willing for me to leave school after that.

Well, instead of starting a lawn business, I took jobs as I could find them. For a time, I actually worked three different jobs at one time and slept very few hours. I wanted to save up to get married one day and have a family and support my family well. This led to me finding a better paying job at a bakery. One evening, I took a fall and ended up under a heavy bread rack and remember thinking that “my” plans weren’t going so hot.

I eventually decided I “needed” to go to college in order to have a better paying job and one where I might have a better chance of staying alive. When you are a little guy, like me, heavy lifting can really cut you down to size. I decided to get a degree in something and the college advisor looked at my existing transcript and said “I think you should go into Accounting.” I said okay and decided to work hard for all “As” toward my bachelor’s degree while working a full time shift to pay my way.

Achieving my performance goals helped me to receive an invitation for an interview by a large oil company (Exxon) during my senior year. The job required moving from my hometown of Meridian to New Orleans. On the job there, I was trained by a person who became a dear friend. He wanted to start the MBA program at Loyola and asked me to join him. Having just passed my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam after going through a grueling self-study effort, largely done during the last semester of my bachelors program, the thought of more study was ghastly but my friend was very persuasive.

A couple of years later we are leaving our MBA graduation from Loyola and there on the steps of the school I said those words you never say…..you know, where you proclaim boldly that you are never going to do something. I said I was never going into a college again.

Yet, a year later I’m offered an opportunity to teach a Business Finance night class at Tulane University College. Exxon graciously approved me doing this during my off time. I actually enjoyed teaching more than mowing lawns. About this time, I marry my wonderful wife, Mickie.

A teaching position (Instructor of Accounting) opened back in my hometown at Mississippi State University, Meridian. I applied and was hired. During the interview, I was asked this question. Are you willing to work on your doctoral degree in Accounting? I hope by now you are smiling with me.

Well, I finally completed my doctorate and have loved every minute with my students. Yes, I’ve loved every minute of teaching a subject I’ve found to be incredibly practical for living. Accountability is a good thing. Today, I know how to talk about investing in stocks because God had other plans for me than mowing lawns. My desire is to be faithful to Him in sharing what I’ve learned and pray that it makes a difference in the lives of others. Mostly, I just want to trust in Him and acknowledge Him in all my ways as the rest of life here on earth plays out.