by Randy Willis
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Mama’s first husband, John Duke, died in 1946. Two years later, she married Daddy, Julian Willis, her next-door neighbor growing up on Willis-Gunter Road. The marriage included a ready-made family with four children. They are Jerry, Johnnie Ruth, Marjorie, and Buddy Duke (pictured below L to R). A year later, I was born. Johnnie called me the “baby” until she died in 2018.
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My childhood began on a Louisiana red dirt road. We didn’t have much money, but I never noticed because no one else did—at least, those my family socialized with.
As a boy, we lived near Willis-Gunter Road and Barber Creek in an area known as Longleaf, Louisiana. Barber Creek flowed into Spring Creek. Both were as cold as ice. They were our main spots for recreation. Occasionally, we attended a Dinner on the Grounds at Longleaf Baptist Church, where Mother and Daddy belonged.
In those days, you sat on the ground—no lawn chairs. The dinner began with a very long prayer for an always-hungry four-year-old boy. It was a chance for the church folks to visit, sing, talk about the crops, and swap recipes. The kids could have a sack race or two. Most of all, everyone came to eat the ladies’ favorite covered food dish.
Longleaf Baptist Church. Longleaf, Louisiana. 1948, a year before I was born.
Each of the dear ladies would bring their favorite covered dish. Oh my, the food was better than any 5-star restaurant today. To this day, I have never heard a Baptist sermon about overeating—thank God. It was also where I began to love music. I still love those old hymns.
One day, when I was four, I ventured up the narrow red dirt road. It was lined with tall Longleaf pine trees. I was heading to my mother’s mother, Grandma Nina Hanks Lawson’s house. Her home was just a mile away on Willis-Gunter Road and overlooked Barber Creek near the Ole Willis Home Place.
My mother’s mother, Nina Hanks Lawson’s house on Willis-Gunter Road on the banks of Barber Creek. My brother Jerry Duke is in the background. After we milked the cow, she tied the milk bottle’s lip with string in always frigid Barber Creek below. Cream would float to the top of the bottle. I always thought it was best used in ice cream. No need to “waste it.“
Willis-Gunter Road crossing Barber Creek
I remember stopping to pick wild dewberries. Perhaps Grandma would be so happy to see me that she’d bake me a pie. While I swam in Barber Creek, she might offer me a cookie from her giant Aunt Jemima Cookie Jar. No sooner had I arrived than Mama drove up in our old Oldsmobile.
Mama, Daddy, and Grandma Lillie Willis. 1948. The year before I was born.
Now, Mama didn’t seem happy with me. Visions of her making a switch by slowly cutting it from a tree—I mean very gradually—and removing the twigs one by one flooded my mind.
The drama of her cutting the switch was always worse than her application of it to my “seat” of knowledge. But that did not occur that day, although I later wished it had.
Mama pointed to an old grey-haired, swarthy-skinned man driving a mule-drawn wagon down Willis-Gunter Road. She explained, “Randy, that old man drives up and down these red dirt roads looking for little boys. He then puts them in a gunnysack and hauls them off.”
“I have never run away from home since that day.”
She did not say where he took them. I did not want to know. I have never run away from home since that day.
When I first shared this story with my eldest son Aaron, he responded, “He was driving a wagon? Who’d you vote for, Dad, Lincoln, or Douglas?”
I seldom get to walk those red dirt roads anymore. I miss them and Barber Creek. But most of all I miss those whom have gone on to Beulah Land as the prophet Isaiah described it.
Yet, there is another road. It is perhaps even less traveled than the red dirt road I trod as a boy in my beloved Louisiana. It might be even less traveled than the one Robert Frost wrote about.
Travel this road, if you will, although it is also a “narrow” road. It will change your life and your destiny.
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We moved from Longleaf, Louisiana, to Clute, Texas when I was four.
All I remember of the trip was stopping at the Stateline in Deweyville, Texas, to buy gas. The pouring rain awoke my sister Marjorie, and she awoke me crying because her paper dolls had gotten wet. Our Oldsmobile and trailer were not as watertight as those today.
Daddy had gotten a job at Dow Chemical in Freeport, Texas. A.J. Jeffers was the first from the Longleaf area to leave for a job at Dow.
Mr. Jeffers returned and encouraged Daddy and others to do the same. A. J.’s brother, Jimmy Jeffers, and Daddy’s brother, Herman Willis, soon followed. We were all close friends in Brazoria County, Texas.
We attended Temple Baptist Church in Clute, Texas, every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. It seemed everyone attended church.
Above: Mother, Ruth Lawson Willis, ready for church circa 1956. 519 Coleman Street in Clute, Texas. Her Great-grandson Corbin Willis in 2024, 68 years later in front of the same porch. We moved from this home in 1960 to Angleton.
“Randy Willis headed to Temple Baptist Church with his Grandmother Lillie Hanks Willis.”
On a Wednesday night, my mother could not attend. Therefore, I walked to church from our home on Coleman Street. I was with my twelve-year-old sister, Marjorie. I was only eight years old. I had no intention of that hot August night in 1958 being any different from any other. I cannot recall a word Pastor Bill Campbell said in his sermon. But I remember vividly another voice that spoke to my mind—my heart—my spirit. It was not an audible voice. It was a still, gentle voice. It was tender but ever so clear. The Holy Spirit told me to go forward and accept Christ as my Savior.
I recall my response to the Holy Spirit as if it were five minutes ago: “Lord, I’m too shy. I would if my mother was here to go with me.”
I felt someone touch my left shoulder. My sister Marjorie was sitting in the back row with her friends. She could not have seen my face, for I was seated near the front.
She said, “I’ll go with you if you want me to.” I immediately stood and walked with her to the front of the church and made my decision public.
I know you do not have to have an experience like that to be saved. Nevertheless, I’m so grateful for that experience; it has never left my mind or my heart.
Christmas 1956, 519 Coleman Street Clute, Texas
Left to right: Lillie Hanks Willis, Julian Willis, and Ruth Willis. Randy Willis is on the floor. Buddy Duke, Jerry Duke, Marjorie Duke, and Dorothy Curbelo, whom my parents raised, are also present.
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You, too, can say yes to Jesus…
The most famous 25 words ever written: “For God so loved the world. He gave His only begotten Son. Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
If these words are how you feel in your heart, then pray:
“Heavenly Father,
I pray to You, asking for the forgiveness of my sins.
I confess with my mouth. I believe with my heart that Jesus is Your Son. He died on the cross at Calvary, so I might be forgiven.
Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead. I ask Jesus to come into my life as my personal Lord and Savior.
I turn from my sins and will surrender to your will throughout my life.
Your word is truth. I confess with my mouth that I am born again. I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus!
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!”
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Suppertime at our humble home, 519 Coleman Street in Clute, Texas, was the best “church service” I ever attended. I saw the love of Jesus around our table.
Suppertime: Randy, Buddy, Marjorie, Dorothy, and Grandma Lillie Hanks Willis. 519 Coleman Street Clute, Texas. No one’s hands are on the table in the photo, for the prayer of thanks has not yet been given. Daddy would begin with, “Let’s say grace.” We never used a “prepared prayer.” And yes we said things like “Pass the butter, please.” And yes ma’am and no sir. And “May I be excused?” There were no TV trays and human computers were people that were good at math working at NASA. You had to eat everything on your plate. This was because your parents had suffered through the Great Depression.
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“I would have had them first if I had known how much fun grandchildren were.”
“Children’s children are the crown of old men.” Proverbs 17:6
The Crown of Old Men
The idiom “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow” means something is beautiful but challenging to achieve.
One of my favorite songs is Over the Rainbow. As a boy, I was mesmerized by the movie The Wizard of Oz. Judy Garland captivated me. She sang, Somewhere over the Rainbow Way up High. “There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.” By the time I was a teen, a lullaby could not satisfy my longing. The dream of a pot of gold also did not fulfill my desire for something more.
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My hope, dream, and purpose are the highest good for a dozen people. I have this aspiration now in the autumn—perhaps the winter—of this journey called life. These include my three sons, Aaron, Josh, and Adam Willis, six grandchildren, and me—plus my two daughters-in-law, Alana and Jessah. That is twelve, but the list is subject to growth.
Watching my six grandchildren, I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. I have learned much from them.
Baylee Coatney Willis
Baylee Coatney Willis (18) plays soccer and basketball and is ranked 2nd or 3rd in her senior class. My firstborn grandchild always has a special place in my heart. She was the first female born in my direct Willis line in 123 years.
Coatney Willis born 1884
The last girl was Coatney Willis (1884), hence Baylee’s middle name. From the beginning, I was sure my role was to spoil her. Baylee reminds me of my mother, Ruth Willis. She is fair, intelligent, thoughtful, and kind. Mother’s response to all my dilemmas was always the same, “What would Jesus do Randy?”
Corbin Randall Willis
Corbin Randall Willis (17) loves soccer, track, and cooking. He encouraged me as we hiked in Grand Teton National Park in June 2024. I was trying to catch my breath. “You can do it, Grandpa,” he constantly reminded me. He has the gift of encouragement, a rare gift, as many have a hair trigger to criticize today.
Corbin recently said, “Grandpa, I will never drink or smoke.” I asked him how he came up with that decision: Church? “No sir,” he said, “By observation.” He lives on a high moral plane. Corbin reminds me of my father, Jake Willis.
Presley Rose Willis
Presley Rose Willis (14), with her many dance recitals, contests, and cheerleading, is shy like I was at her age. She is graceful, quiet, meditative, beautiful, and kind. Presley is a friend to all. She is as classy as Princess Catherine of Wales.
I have never heard her say a negative word. My mother used to say, “The easiest thing to do in life is criticize.” She would have loved Presley. I’m sure she does as part of Heaven’s great cloud of witnesses.
Olivia Grace Willis
Olivia Grace Willis (10) gymnastics, music, and she loves to read. Whenever I pick her up from school, I ask her what she read this week. She responded with a book report that made me want to read the book. The best writers love to read. Perhaps that’s in her future as Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 44:5. Her intellect astounds me.
I asked her a year ago what 13 x 17 was. She answered instantly, so I tried a dozen other combinations. She responded correctly in less than two seconds, each without a calculator except her mind.
And she tolerates Grandpa’s not-so-funny sense of humor. She smiled when I explained that I have to dye my hair gray these days. As we walked up to Target, I showed her something important. Gentlemen should always walk on the outside of a sidewalk. This is done to protect a lady. She responded, “What do I do if they don’t?”
“Boot them to the street,” I said. She got the biggest grin on her face.
Juliette Rebecca Willis
Juliette Rebecca Willis (3), horseback riding, and independence. Some may call that being “strong willed.” I call it being an independent Willis women. Juliette tries to be tough sometimes. After riding a horse for four hours, she still wants to ride more in the heat. She mentions that she has a sore behind. I explained to her that’s called being saddle sore. “That’s how real cowgirls say it,” I said.
The next time I asked her if she wanted to ride, she said, “I’m saddle sore, Pawpaw.” She is barely three. Her namesake is Daddy: Julian Willis. He would have spent hundreds of hours teaching her how to train her horse if he were still here. He would have also taught her how to care for her animals. Most importantly, he would have her focused on safety.
Violet Jean Willis
Violet Jean Willis (1) peek-a-boo games and the most beautiful smile on earth. She is excited about everything. She was so proud when she began to walk recently and laughed constantly when she fell. I can’t wait to see all her unique ways.
And a million birthday parties, vacations, and family gatherings.
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How can I tell the most cherished to me what the highest good should be in their lives? It will not be found at the end of any rainbow or earning a pot of gold.
To love the Lord God Almighty is the highest good and the first commandment in the Bible.
God alone can satisfy our emptiness and longing. God created a hole in our hearts. He intended to fill it with His presence, joy, peace, love, and purpose. That place in your heart was created for the Holy Spirit. We attempt to fill it with things that can destroy us and will never last. We have all been there for the Bible says we have all “fallen short of the Glory of God.”
It is a relationship, the most personal on earth. God desires for us never to be apart from Him. As David illustrates in Psalm 23, our cup overflows as our host, the Lord, continuously fills our cup with blessings.
When visiting a friend’s home, we recognize it’s time to leave. They might look at their watch or stop filling our glasses with refreshments. The Lord not only continuously fills our cup but keeps overflowing it. He never wants the fellowship to end.
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We are given a choice to love God or not to love God. We are not robots or artificial intelligence (AI). We are not forced to love God or reject God. It is our free will.
When I first read it, the concept of loving God seemed vague. The idea of loving God is present in the Holy Scriptures. You can find the practical concept of loving God in the works of others, too. They have lived their lives loving God. Amy Carmichael’s book If and 40 others will melt your heart. Learning how to love God will bless you beyond imagination. Joy and peace will flood your soul.
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Unlike our highest good in life, our calling may vary in occupation, profession, education, vocation, work, and recreation. Although the Lord gave me many clues, I struggled with this for decades. You see, it was not His will that I wanted but mine.
With his moral sense of right and wrong, I may hope Corbin will be a Billy Graham. However, God may call him to fight for equal rights. Perhaps Corbin could teach spiritual lessons as C.S Lewis did in his seven fantasy novels, The Chronicles of Narnia. I’m sure he will always fight for justice and fairness.
I might choose Presley to write another George Frideric Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus and adapt in into musical theater dance styles. She would be wonderful with the choreography. However, God’s plan may be for her to work with needy children. She could focus on teaching dance and building their confidence.
I may dream of Juliette training registered quarter horses on a vast Texas Hill Country ranch. However, God may prefer her to work at a local animal rescue shelter.
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Olivia may write like John Milton, but a children’s book would be just as fantastic. I may dream of her writing a dynamic couplet. She could write as Milton did in Paradise Lost: “Him the almighty hurled headlong, flaming from the ethereal sky.” Hopefully, she will read Christian classics like Elisabeth Elliot’s Through Gates of Splendor and Passion and Purity.
I feel less philosophical concerning Baylee as she is the eldest. I watch how hard Baylee is working to be accepted into The University of Texas’s School of Engineering. The requirements are astronomical. `I pray her dream comes true. She is a thoroughbred, and I believe she will accomplish this noble goal or perhaps one even greater.
At her age, there are many life-changing choices; college and relationships top the list. I would recommend Anne Graham Lotz’s book The Magnificent Obsession. It is about her pursuit of knowing God. How can you know who God’s choice is for your spouse? The Magnificent Obsession reveals how complex and vital that question is.
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I am sure Violet, though only one year old, will achieve great things. She might be Miss America one day, a sportscaster, or a teacher. If she reads this in a decade or two, I recommend that she learn about the life of Amy Carmichael. Corrie ten Boom’s life is also worth knowing about. I read Corrie’s best-selling memoir The Hiding Place in the early 1970s. It will bless you. Violet has Heaven in her eyes and an air of mystery.
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They may be doctors, nurses, lawyers, ditch diggers, or candlestick makers. My prayer is they do all for the Glory of God.
Above all, do the highest good. Love the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, soul, and mind. That decision will give you wisdom, courage, and strength. You can forge through the valleys and disappointments you will undoubtedly encounter. Hopefully, you will be girded with the peace that passes all understanding.
Christ has promised to keep you in perfect peace, whose mind stays on Him. Take your eyes off your problems and circumstances and place them on God as Daniel did in the Lion’s Den. You can walk on water as Peter did if your eyes are kept on Jesus. He is the God of the impossible.
However, Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to look at the storm’s winds and waves, almost drowning. I have done that many times. If you refocus on life’s storms, cry out to Jesus as Peter did, saying, “Save me.” Jesus will answer your plea and lift you from your storm-tossed sea.
You can slay the giants in your life as a teenager named David did. Walk in God’s strength and name, not yours.
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Remember, the Book records that they “Overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb [Jesus] and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). Claim the Blood of Christ and study the Word of God, the Bible. There is unmatched power in Jesus’s Name, Jesus’s Blood, and the Word of God, the Bible.
“I claim the promises Psalms 91 several times a week for my family.”
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Satan is our enemy, not “Karen” next door. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
One offensive weapon against the forces of evil is the sixth piece of armor that Paul discusses in Ephesians 6. It is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Jesus responded to Satan in the wilderness by quoting the Scriptures.
Prayer can be likened to an offensive weapon, a spear or lance. Put on the whole armor of God. You will find this in Ephesians 6:12. Use prayer to thank and praise the Lord. Bear your soul and heart to Him. Although He is not your ATM, remember He has said you have not because you asked not.
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The shield of faith has been my greatest defensive weapon. Without that enormous shield, the enemy’s fiery darts would have caused me to crash and burn long ago.
Don’t neglect your prayer life. That is easier said than done. I have always struggled with it because I was busy. As Chicken Little exclaimed, I only prayed when the sky appeared to be falling. Set aside a time and place daily for this most crucial part of your day: prayer. My chosen time is when I awake in the morning. It’s before the phone rings and the cares of life seek to overtake me.
My role is not to lodge complaints. I need to understand what His will is for me. I am to be a channel of prayer. There is no more extraordinary privilege or responsibility than standing on God’s side and praying for my children and grandchildren.
I pray for each of them by name, constantly and earnestly. I am specific in my requests. I always pray in the name of Jesus. Christ knows what is best for them and loves them even more than I do. I love to pray Psalms 91 for my family. The famous psalm says God will give His angels charge over you. I suspect a flock of angels was needed in my case. They had to work overtime in my youth.
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Let no one convince you otherwise, and they will try. Walk by faith in Christ. Remember, God is still on His throne and in control of your future.
From personal experience, the Holy Spirit is never late. Walk by faith in Christ, not sight. However, He rarely has been early in my case. I suspect that is how He has grown my faith. I have never enjoyed that part. I hated it in some cases. And it drives me crazy at times for patience has never been a virtue of mine.
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Grandpa’s advice is based on my life journey for nearly three-quarters of a century. It is not some profound theological treatise. Others are far better at that than I am at debating all the many isms and schisms. With all my love—I love you more than life.
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“Your heart should be so hidden in Christ that a person has to seek Him to know you.” —Randy Willis
Vaya con Dios —Randy Willis, 2024
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