RICH: Taking chances and learning

Published 9:00 am Sunday, July 28, 2024

Every family leaves a legacy of some worth which lasts three or four generations. Sometimes, one good man raises up to see need and wisely chooses his cases. If the man is strong enough in his teaching then it, most likely, carries on for a few generations.

What finer thing can be said about a person: “She saw a need and she helped.” “He saw the wound and bandaged it back to health.”

The first memories of my life were going by my Daddy’s mechanic/paint garage. We weren’t in town more often than monthly to pick up necessities like Crisco, flour, cornmeal and both sweet milk and buttermilk.

From the earliest days, I sensed that Daddy’s shop was special. Besides Daddy and my brother,  there would be anywhere from four to eight others sitting around and drinking coffee. There were no lively debates, just the common man with his common sense.

Once I drove, I’d stop by, at will, to discovered a think tank of men, educated little or not at all, as well as high-thinking, powerful men. They knew the horrors of war which gave them insight that many  will never know. And if they didn’t know the Lord, then Daddy began his sermon. Ninety percent of the times I stopped by, the Bible was open in his hand, being taught with a discernment that only a godly man can possess. If he wasn’t preaching to both the steadfast and worldly citizens, that old King James, Schofield Bible was still no further than a finger’s touch away.

This I can promise you: Ralph Satterfield never had to get out of seat and ask, “Where did I put my Bible?” He always knew.

What a cast of character sat on that two-step stage in the back. There, common men from the chewing gum company, auto parts place, water department, or a preacher-friend struggled with his Sunday sermon. “Ralph, help me with this scripture.”

Often, the old-fashioned politician, who wanted to make a difference and not just use the office for power, was there. When I stopped by, sitting at Ralph’s figurative round table was a collection who would not have become close friends without the connection of Daddy’s business: judges, sheriffs, district attorneys and assistants D.A.s, FBI and, once, a Secret Service man.

In the way of those times, when there was more concern in helping people rather than crumpling them up and throwing them away, Daddy would broker introductions and explain more about the situation than the court papers told.

He’d call a Judge or D.A. and ask him to come by the shop. 

“This ain’t a bad boy that’s about to come before you. If he had had any upbringing, there’s no telling what he’d become. He just needs guidance. I’ll happily put in my two cents worth on that.” 

Much good was done when men, who could have become hardened, became, instead, a better man.

I had a similar experience with a man who had been in and out of jail for decades. The Public Defender told him that he would serve hard this time.

We were there that Sunday when he gave his soul to Jesus. We watched his baptizing and saw a new man come up out of the Chestatee River to frankly tell a hard-won testimony.

I wrote to the Chief Justice, asking that the man not be sent back to jail. “I think it’s his only solid chance at sobriety and a new life.”

The Judge listened. “Someone I highly regard doesn’t want you to lose your sobriety. I’ll take that advice. But if you come back into this courtroom, I’ll throw the book at you.”

That was years ago and the man is fine, sober and hard working. Others before me tried but he wasn’t ready. Sometimes, it just takes the right person at the right time.

And having been taught the importance of helping.

Ronda Rich is the best-selling author of “St. Simons Island: A Stella Bankwell Mystery.” Visit www.rondarich.com to sign up for her free weekly newsletter.