Passing the Torch – Part #1

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Feb 28, 2010 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

The last time I saw him was several years back. He had just given a lecture to a small, packed auditorium at the Freed-Hardeman University lectures. As I reached to shake his hand, I was now a minister but after listening to him I felt like a student back in his class. I was only privileged to take him for one class, but he pushed me to the limit and I am sure he did it on purpose. I readily admit that class pushed me to the breaking point more than once, but I endured.

His words challenged me inside and outside of our class. Even though I was not the “average Bible major” (I know, you already knew that) he treated me with the utmost respect and always shook my hand. His wisdom and experience showed well to each person he passed, even though his health was failing. I had heard of his health issues and the struggles of his health, but he always smiled, nodded and shook my hand.

When he found out I was from West Virginia, I found we had a common bound. His travels had taken him to my home  state many times and he spoke fondly of the beautiful mountains and majestic season of fall. His words always drew me a little closer to appreciate my home state.

One day he approached me in the student center and asked me to step into his office later in the day for a few minutes. Quickly, those around me asked me what it was about, but my mind raced to think of why. Without an answer to the inquiries, I slowly made the trip to the Bible Department. As I stepped into his office, he rose to his feet, shook my hand and told me how glad he was that I stopped in. As we reflected on the year and the weather for a few moments, he said he had something for me.  He slowly opened his desk drawer and pulled out a large folded piece of paper. He slide it across his desk and told me it was from his personal collection.

As I opened the paper I started to laugh. It was a poster of my favorite hockey team’s goalie, Tom Barasso. You see, I am a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey fan and he knew it. Over the short time I was at Freed-Hardeman he and I would talk hockey scores as we passed in the hallway. His beloved Detroit Redwings and beat my beloved Pittsburgh Penguins many times and those made for great discussions.

While his class I had has not stayed with me like I thought it would, his kind words softened my heart each day. Even when I was not in his class, his words found a way to encourage and his smiling nod showed that he cared.

His name was Dowell Flatt and he is surely missed.

“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

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This post was written under the encouragement of John Dobbs. Mr. Dobbs encouraged others to write a post about a minister that greatly influenced our lives. He passes on that encouragement to you. Spend one post this week writing about that special minister who influenced you.

Just my thoughts,

Chris