stephen R Harrison

My first pair of Jordans were the Jordan 7 OG Raptors (1992) – and boy, were they sweet! I remember begging my dad for a pair. He said we couldn’t afford them, but I was relentless (even selfish). They cost about $125 (almost $300 today). He finally bought me a pair and I was the happiest 8th grader in the world.

I was also playing basketball at school during that time. One night, after hitting the game-winning free throws and grabbing the rebound on the other end of the court, I was beside myself with excitement! I was also sad and a little bit mad that my dad was at work instead of at my games. I waited up until my dad got home from work (nearly midnight) just so I could tell him all about it. He was so excited (and tired). I remember playing a few more games the next couple of weeks and my dad couldn’t make them either. I asked my mom why my dad couldn’t come, and she said, “He’s working overtime.”

He never would say it, but my dad worked all that overtime to pay for my Jordans. My dad unselfishly worked hard to provide for my needs, and sadly, even my greed at times. During that time, I realized just how selfish I had really been. Now that my dad’s been in heaven for the last two and a half years, I miss him even more. I wish I could have seen his sacrifice, commitment, and love earlier. I wish I could have seen my selfishness and greed. What I’d give to have had my dad at those games instead of a pair of shoes long worn out and in the trash.

Like a good dad, he told me no to stuff I really didn’t need plenty of other times. Those were the only real Jordans he ever bought. I did have a pair of fake Jordans and fake Reebok Pumps (I made the pump-up air sound myself). Looking back, I think he said no to temper my selfishness. He said no to teach me the value of a dollar. While he was a hard worker and would often work countless overtime hours just to make ends meet, I think he said no many times just so he could be off work with me at all those other games, camping trips, fishing outings, band concerts, recitals, suppers, and bedtimes. Priceless.

Time is the most precious commodity we have. Time on this earth is short, and we waste too much of it. Because of Jesus’ grace, I’m thankful we’ll make up for lost and wasted time in eternity. I’m thankful for a dad who knew and modeled what was most important – Jesus. My dad invested the most overtime by showing me the gift of salvation in Jesus. He led me to Christ. That’s better than any overrated, overpriced, long-forgotten shoes any day.

“Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12)