Turning Points
Life is a journey. It has a beginning and it has an end. All along its path are events, places
and people who are turning points. Here, I relate some of these turning points in my own
journey. Hopefully, the stories will illuminate and maybe entertain some of those who care
enough to read.
Life is a journey. It has a beginning and it has an end. All along its path are events, places
and people who are turning points. Here, I relate some of these turning points in my own
journey. Hopefully, the stories will illuminate and maybe entertain some of those who care
enough to read.
They were more than mentors; Jack and Helen were like
spiritual parents to me.
Soon after we met at the Soldiers’ program Jack and
Helen Gibson invited me to their home to discuss the
things of the Lord. That began many visits. Once
entering their door it was impossible to get away as
every time I mentioned leaving, Jack would ask, “Where
spiritual parents to me.
Soon after we met at the Soldiers’ program Jack and
Helen Gibson invited me to their home to discuss the
things of the Lord. That began many visits. Once
entering their door it was impossible to get away as
every time I mentioned leaving, Jack would ask, “Where
you goin’?” Finally, as late as mid-night, I would finally get away and head home. They were the most
hospitable people I had ever met and wanted to talk only about the Lord and what he was doing in
lives. But I learned more than Christianity from them; I learned the importance of people and how to
build relations with them.
One night I called Jack on the phone and after talking awhile, I asked him, “Jack, what is your goal in
life?” That was a big question to be concerned with for a young guy still just getting underway in life.
Jack’s answer bowled me over me with its profundity and relevance. “To please the Lord.” he replied.
That response struck a chord with me and solidified a lifelong friendship.
Together we strategized on how to evangelize others and how to run the bible study effectively in the
Gibsons' home. We prayed for young people we met that the Lord would work in their lives. To Jack
and Helen, the Word of God was the standard for life. They read the Word, studied the Word, talked
about the Word, memorized the Word and lived the Word.
They bought a large beautiful mansion adjacent to Cherokee Park in Louisville and it became a
center for young college and career singles to meet, have bible study and socialize. Several of them,
including one who would later become my permanent roommate lived there at 1616 Cherokee Road
with Jack and Helen for awhile. Altogether, I know of at least three marriages that resulted from that
time at “1616.”
Jack was working as a factory rep for Best Lock Company and his territory was most of Kentucky and
West Virginia. I would take a day off from work and go with him on some of his trips. We passed the
time driving with talk about the bible and what God was doing in lives of people we knew.
I kidded Helen about being on her last leg. But soon after meeting her, you would forget that she had
only one limb from a burn injury in her youth. She was so joyful, so full of life and so completely un-
self conscious. Helen was totally focused on the need to win others to Christ. She made it her
business to meet my mother and establish a friendship with her. That really impressed me. I credit
her with a lot of influence toward my marriage with Judy. Our second daughter is named after Helen.
Later, when we moved to Birmingham, Helen and Jack visited often and helped us find our first
home here and our friendship has lasted over the years. Jack went to be with the Lord a few years
ago.
I know I will see them both on the other side someday.
hospitable people I had ever met and wanted to talk only about the Lord and what he was doing in
lives. But I learned more than Christianity from them; I learned the importance of people and how to
build relations with them.
One night I called Jack on the phone and after talking awhile, I asked him, “Jack, what is your goal in
life?” That was a big question to be concerned with for a young guy still just getting underway in life.
Jack’s answer bowled me over me with its profundity and relevance. “To please the Lord.” he replied.
That response struck a chord with me and solidified a lifelong friendship.
Together we strategized on how to evangelize others and how to run the bible study effectively in the
Gibsons' home. We prayed for young people we met that the Lord would work in their lives. To Jack
and Helen, the Word of God was the standard for life. They read the Word, studied the Word, talked
about the Word, memorized the Word and lived the Word.
They bought a large beautiful mansion adjacent to Cherokee Park in Louisville and it became a
center for young college and career singles to meet, have bible study and socialize. Several of them,
including one who would later become my permanent roommate lived there at 1616 Cherokee Road
with Jack and Helen for awhile. Altogether, I know of at least three marriages that resulted from that
time at “1616.”
Jack was working as a factory rep for Best Lock Company and his territory was most of Kentucky and
West Virginia. I would take a day off from work and go with him on some of his trips. We passed the
time driving with talk about the bible and what God was doing in lives of people we knew.
I kidded Helen about being on her last leg. But soon after meeting her, you would forget that she had
only one limb from a burn injury in her youth. She was so joyful, so full of life and so completely un-
self conscious. Helen was totally focused on the need to win others to Christ. She made it her
business to meet my mother and establish a friendship with her. That really impressed me. I credit
her with a lot of influence toward my marriage with Judy. Our second daughter is named after Helen.
Later, when we moved to Birmingham, Helen and Jack visited often and helped us find our first
home here and our friendship has lasted over the years. Jack went to be with the Lord a few years
ago.
I know I will see them both on the other side someday.
___________________________________________________
| And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV) |
| Copyright © 2005 leoshoemaker.com |
| Jack and Helen February 24, 2007 |
leoshoemaker.com
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Albums, commentary, inspiration and information
| How I found a new life by Leo Shoemaker |
