“Sometimes the smallest choices can make the biggest impact”. – Braden

“Buddy, I could write a book on that one. I still miss our special times together and will never forget. Love you, son”. Dad

---

Readers may recall a post from October 29, 2019, entitled “Fishtrap & Legacy“. It reflected upon my sunset memorial visit to an uncultivated field on the outskirts of Prosper where Braden and I had spent time together on weekends shooting clays and targets. The field was on a dirt road called Legacy less than a mile north of what had been Fishtrap (now First Street). The post recalled a brief encounter with the land manager who had been driving around that Sunday afternoon and caught us trespassing. I recalled nervously grumbling under my breath to Braden that we were probably in big trouble for trespassing, and we might even be getting a free night in jail.

Rather than demanding we leave his property, this stranger invited us to stay and enjoy our father-son time together. He didn’t have to do that, and he certainly didn’t have to spend a few minutes talking with me about fatherhood to boys in a fast-changing world. Instead of just driving by or telling us to leave, this random stranger had chosen to go that little extra mile to connect. This simple act of kindness was really not a big deal at the time, but it would later become more meaningful.

---

What the 2019 Fishtrap/ Legacy story did not tell were the events following its writing. The land manager had been reading our blog and decided to reach out after reading the one about our meeting. When I received a private message from one of his staff members, it read, “I work for the guy in your story, and he wants to talk to you”. My heart almost jumped through my chest. You see, Braden and I had not only been trespassing, but we had been firing our guns on the outskirts of the Prosper city limits. I was concerned the post had gotten this guy in trouble with his boss (who we later realized was owner of the Dallas Cowboys). I nervously responded to the direct message with my sincerest apology and a phone number.

Within minutes, my cell phone rang from an “Unknown Caller” and I fully expected to be yelled at and told to remove the online post immediately to avoid further embarrassment. I was stuttering. “I’m so sorry, sir… I wrote that story because it meant a lot to my son and me that you let us stay and enjoy our time together that day. Hopefully it didn’t get you into trouble”. The stranger’s response was unexpected. He said he had been following our posts and remembered our brief chat. He further explained the empty dirt field would eventually be developed into a community of residential homes and his land company wanted to name a street in remembrance of our son!

---

---

Fast forward to 2023. Recently, I was invited to speak at a Suicide Prevention Awareness event in my hometown in west Texas. Though very little has changed there since my high school graduation, Brownfield has been hit by the same tragic epidemic larger cities face today. Though I’d struggled to find some way to bring a small sign of hope to my hometown, I drove home feeling disappointed. On my long return across north Texas, I asked God to just give one person a small sign of hope so the trip would be worthwhile.

It was getting late as I neared Denton and Google maps found a faster way around the evening rush hour traffic. This route was one I’d never taken though I visit west Texas often. It took me east towards Prosper along an old road called Fishtrap. My mind was so focused on the annoying traffic from the rapid growth in the area that I’d just zoned out. As I approached the intersection of Fishtrap and Legacy, I checked my ETA. On the far edge of my phone screen, I noticed the name of a new road named “Braden Lane” just a short distance away. Evidently, God had heard my request, but His answer came as a total surprise. The one person who needed a small sign was me!

I realize most will think this was just a coincidence, but after five years of these kinds of small signs, I don’t believe it was luck. God does this kind of thing all the time and I’d just not been paying attention. This subtle reminder of unexpected encouragement had been God-delivered years after it had been sent on a Sunday afternoon from an empty dirt field by a total stranger.

I know Braden would love that his small street will serve as the entry into a community much like the one that has surrounded his family on their darkest road.

We want to sincerely thank Blue Star Land and their general manager, Joe Hickman along with Kerry Harrington who chose to step into our lives rather than just moving along. Although this story refers to them as strangers, we know who they really are, and they will remain in our family’s hearts. By going just that little extra mile, they exemplify what it means to be the difference you seek.

Some Thoughts:

• That tiny extra effort we choose to make can be all it takes when someone else needs to just keep going.
• A small investment of ourselves into someone who is in need can yield a far more lasting return than any financial one.
• We should keep our eyes and hearts open to what God is doing and where He is taking us. We make our plans, but He directs our path.
• Fathers, our most important job is not selfishly directing our children but rather unselfishly leading them to find the only true Navigator, their Heavenly Father.

“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32‬:‭8‬ ‭

---