Frank
March 9, 2007
An open journal about my friend Frank.
Sometimes in life we are faced with difficult decisions—decisions that impact the very core of our souls.
Eight years ago I was working in my cubicle in the back of the public relations office at Northland Baptist Bible College when Dr. Frank Hamrick walked in, the president of Positive Action For Christ. I was a little bit nervous to talk with him as I had never met him and only knew him from the times he spoke in chapel.
Earlier in the day, Kraig Keck, an employee of Positive Action, had come to my office and probed a little about my role at Northland and what my future plans were. I found this to be a little bit odd, but took it as friendly, inquisitive conversation. It was only a few hours later that Dr. Hamrick was making small talk with me and then left.
I remember calling Tricia and telling her about my experience and how weird it was. But as I thought about it there was this little thought that kept popping up that something was going on. Little did I know that my life was about to change.
Over the course of the next several months it became clear that this ministry in Rocky Mount, North Carolina was interested in hiring me, but no formal job offer had been made so I did my best to contain my excitement. And then, after many long months of uncertainty, I received a call to ask if I'd be interested in flying down for an interview. After thinking about it for about six seconds, I quickly replied with a yes.
Like all job interviews, I was nervous, excited, somewhat intimidated, anxious, and giddy. I really don't remember too much about the interview except that I sensed one of the members of the administrative team seemed a bit reticent. But after a specific question was asked of me, I mentioned that I thought marketing was very important, and from that point, I was "in."
I was offered the job, and I accepted.
I had been at Northland for ten years (five as a student and five on staff). I remember several times talking to my wife and telling her how I longed for a friend who would disciple me and accept me unconditionally. My heart ached and I begged God to help me grow spiritually as I felt so weak in my faith. I didn't have the strength to "do" Christianity.
Of course, the day I walked into my new job I experienced a lot of emotions, but remember being very cautious in all that I did and all that I said. After all, I thought Dr. Hamrick walked on water and I wanted to impress him and the others that I was working with.
It wasn't long before the plastic veneer wore off. All of the character flaws and imperfections that I was abundantly aware of myself became visible to everyone around me. Instead of a hard hand, I experienced grace. It was the beginning of one of the closest friendships I have ever had. Dr. Hamrick, the man who walked on water, quickly became Frank, the man who had feet of clay...like me.
This whole discipleship thing was not at all what I expected. You see, I had thought we would meet every Thursday night after quitting time and go through a workbook and formal Bible study, pray together and then wait a week to continue the process of helping me become godly. Instead, God gave me a friend—a friend who didn't treat me as I deserved to be treated. He gave me someone who was unconditional in his care. Frank is a person that has seen the very worst of me and he still talks to me—that's how he discipled me. Grace.
We talked about Tarheel basketball, we talked about board games, we talked about space, we talked about how we wonder if the blue sky I see is the same blue he sees and all sorts of other crazy conversations. We talked about everything. But, most importantly, we talked about our Lord.
God graciously allowed me to travel to Israel with Frank two different times. I could write a hundred pages about my experiences, walking through the fields around Lake Tiberias, climbing the Mount of Olives, and strolling the stone roads of Jerusalem.
Our first trip was during one of the tense times in Israel, so there were almost no tourists, but there were Frank and me trekking around without a care in the world. One particular fond memory was sitting in the Garden Tomb with Frank as nobody else was there. It was quiet as we both reflected on the grace of God in giving us His precious Son. With each step we both shared the exhilaration of being where our Savior had been.
I have many fond memories hanging out with Frank in the A-frame at the Wilds Christian Camp staying up late and crying from laughter. I think of the times that my friend shed tears, with an open Bible, as he shared about his love for his best friend—God. And of course I recall the times where Frank wept because his beloved Tarheels lost on the basketball court.
Perhaps one of the greatest evidences of grace I have seen in Frank's life is that he is so unassuming and not a respecter of persons. It is one of those attributes that is attractive to me and I have seen in few people. I have witnessed Frank investing time with someone of little perceived importance when a "big wig" with clout walks up and Frank calmly and in due time finishes his conversation before turning his attention.
Another thing that is attractive about Frank is that he is always learning. Whether it's what the latest gadget is, the newest pictures from the Hubbell telescope, or the latest methods to tackle marketing, Frank is always striving to learn. But, his passion is God and I have never seen him grow complacent in learning about God's unending wonders.
Many thoughts rattle around in my head and I recall so many things that I could go on writing for a good long time, but I need to finish.
Moving to Rockford was a decision that was easy to make in some ways and abundantly difficult in other ways. I look forward to moving with excitement and anticipation, but I also leave with a great pain because I am moving away from my friend.
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Frank, thank you.
I pray that God will richly bless you and fill your mind with the knowledge that your investment in my life was worthwhile. God has much to do in my life and His grace is sufficient. Thank you for always pointing me to the cross. Thank you for showing me that in all things I must seek Him and to make His joy my goal.
