Jimmy Needham's message to Union

I was nervous: it was the third time I had talked to the guy and I hoped he didn't think I was some kind of lunatic fanatic. Finally, I decided to use the journalist card.

"Hey, uh, I'm the editor of the Clo--uh, school newspaper here, and I was wondering if I could get a few quotes?" I held my breath.

"Sure," he said as I breathed out in relief. "Let's go to the green room."

I had forgotten what I wanted to ask him, so I quickly formulated a question to buy time. Thankfully, he took out a bag of Teddy Grahams.

"All that singing gives me the munchies," he said and tore into the bag. He looked at me and offered one, and I shook my head no. I was planning to go to Buell's place for cinnamon rolls later and I've been attempting to work out with some frequency.

I still couldn't remember the question, and I hadn't worded the new one just right, so I made some small talk on guitars and music and even offered him some southern chicken from my house. Then I remembered what I wanted to ask him, but my new question seemed better.

Jimmy swallowed. "Okay, shoot."

"Okay, if you wanted to leave Union with a message, other than the one you just gave, what would it be?"

He stopped chewing, looked down at the floor, and breathed in deeply. Then there was silence for a couple of seconds.

"When I first heard the good news, I was caught in legalism. I wanted everything to be just right, and if I failed, I felt like it was the end of the world. Now, being a parent twice and over the years, I have learned that God likes my baby steps.
"I love my baby's steps, and I hate it when she falls, but I understand that she can't run yet. God is the same with me; He wants to see me running eventually, but He's not in a rush. He loves my baby steps.
"So what I would tell Union is, remember that God likes your baby steps. He likes to pick you up when you fall. He loves your baby steps."

I thanked him and walked away. Jimmy Needham had just preached to me twice in one night.