thinking out loud by danny andrews

Listening to folks reminisce about their Wayland experiences, connections and old friends during Homecoming in February not only was interesting and amusing but also reminded me of the spiritual dimension at the core of our university.

At a breakfast for our Golden Anniversary Class of 1958, everyone had a chance to tell about their life’s journey since they left Wayland.

A retired pastor mentioned a former professor or two who had a big impact on his life, places he had served and people he had served with. Heads nodded and several said things like, “I loved Dr. So-And-So’s class”..... “I know that church; I was a member there once”….. “Gee, I hadn’t thought about him in years.”

As tales were being told – and we reminded everyone that the statute of limitations was far past so they could not be prosecuted for their mischief of half a century ago (and may I say some of it was extremely creative) – one of the honorees asked, “Anyone remember Fly Young?”

F.L. “Fly” Young – who graduated in 1964 – showed up later that day to enjoy a time of fellowship with folks who were having entirely too much fun looking at yearbooks and spinning their own yarns.

Mr. Young told me he had been in the printing business in Fort Worth for 28 years, publishing religious tracts under the name “Sowers of Seed.”

“I have a 90-year-old friend in one of the nursing homes here and for many years he’s been giving out little books called ‘Vitamins for Troubled Hearts’ and ‘Bible Verses for Children’ He gives me a handful every few weeks. I don’t know who publishes them,” I said, pulling one from my pocket and turning to the back page.

Lo and behold, it said: Sowers of Seed, Inc., P.O. Box 6217, Ft. Worth, TX 76115 U.S.A. www.sowersofseed.com. 1-800-923-6304. It’s motto “Reaching the lost through spreading the written Word.”

Fly was tickled to see his tracts were being used and told me a touching story. Several years ago, he went on a mission trip to a rural area in Mexico. As his group led a Vacation Bible School, 10 men rode up on horseback.

“You men want to have a Bible study?” someone asked in Spanish. They did and sat down in a circle. “Are any of you a believer in Jesus Christ?” One man raised his hand. Asked to tell how he came to faith, the man pulled out a tattered and torn little tract he had been carrying for 20 years.

Of course, it was published by Sowers of Seed. Fly Young was happy and humbled to personally see the fruit of his faithful work that has presented the gospel to untold thousands.

Whether participating in Volunteer Mission Band, the International Choir, preaching, mission trips, and other ministries while at Wayland, to faithful service since leaving Plainview, thousands have done their individual and often unique part to advance the Kingdom.

And, to a person, they are thankful for the good foundation and opportunities they received while attending Wayland.

That’s just another reason why our Alma Mater is worthy of our prayers, our good will and our financial support. I hope and pray that graduates and exes will be sharing their faith stories a hundred years from now.