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fathersinthefield.com307-332-09019FATHERHOODKeithtAylorBRANDONMISSISSIPPIeithPolkoneox1dthefrstFathersintheFieldMentorFathersrecallsthemomentwhenheknewhehadmadeaheartconnectionwithhisFieldBuddyTaylor.x1cWewerecominghomex1dromturkeyhunting.Idroppedhimox1dx1dandheturnedandwavedatmewhenhewalkedintothehouse.IwaslikelytoexplodewithexcitementLittlethingslikethatareimportantx1dexclaimsKeithwhohavingmentoredTaylorx1dornumerousyearshaslearnedtorejoiceinthesmallvictoriesox1dlix1dewithax1datherlessboy.x1cTaylorx19smomDaphnetellsmethatheusedtobex1dullox1djoyandlaughterx1dKeithsays.x1cTheywouldplaycatchtogetherandhaveagreattime.Butashegotolderhestartedthrowingtheballsohardthatshecouldnx19tcatchitanymore.Therealityox1dhislosssetinashesawhisx1driendsoutthrowingtheballwiththeirdadswhilehisdadwasnowhereinsight.Ithinkitwasembarrassingandcausedhimtodrawintoashell.x1dOvertheyearsKeithhasbondedwithTaylorasthetwohavejourneyedsidebysidethroughtheFathersintheFieldcurriculumGodx19sWordandoutdooradventureslikehuntingandfshing.x1cIwouldlovetosaythatnowhex19sopenwithmeabouteverything.Butthatx19sjustnotthecasex1dKeithadmits.x1cButwedefnitelyhavegrowncloser.Thecurriculumhasbeenareallygoodplatx1dormx1dorustojumpintoconversationsaboutGodandbeingagodlyman.Andwhenwex19reouthuntingandfshingyoujustneverknowwhatyoumightgetx1dromTaylorx1dlaughsKeith.OnoneparticularturkeyhuntKeithaddressedtheissueox1dbaptismwithTaylor.x1cItwasrainingsowegotintoashedandstartedtalking.IknewhehadtrustedinJesusChristashisSaviorbex1dorehemetKeithbuthismomhadsharedwithmethathestruggledwithbaptism.AsshyandwithdrawnasheisIamsurehisissuewaspubliclyprox1dessinghisx1daithinx1drontox1dallthosepeoplex1dKeithsays.x1cWeweresittingthereandIjustkindox1droundaboutbroughtitup.Therewasnx19talotox1ddiscussionbutappar-entlyitwasenoughx1dorhimtochewon.SeveralmonthslaterTaylorwasbaptized.x1dSeveralyearsdowntheroadandKeithseesanothermajorstumblingblockx1dorTaylorx14x1dorgivenessox1dhisdad.x1cIstillseealackox1dgenuinejoyinhislix1deandIdonx19tthinkthatwillcomeuntilhex1dorgiveshisdadx1dorabandoninghimx1dsaysKeithwhohasdiscusseditwithTaylor.x1cIdonx19tknowhowitwillhappenbutIbelieveitwilloneday.FornowIwaitontheLordknowingtheseedhasbeenplanted.x1dForKeithandTaylortheFathersintheFieldjourneyhasbeenonemarkedbypatiencehard-earnedtrustandsmallvictories.Thewoundox1dabandonmentrunsdeepandmentoringaboywhobearsitcanbechallenging.ButasKeithconcludestherewardisx1dargreater.x1cItx19sworthitbecauseitx19swhatGodcalledmetodo.AndIgettoseeTaylorgrow.OnedayIbelieveIwillseemorethanawavewhenheturnsaroundandwalksaway.ButwhetherIdoornotIamobedienttotheLord.AndIhavegrowntoloveTaylorlikeason.ImentorhimnowbecauseIlovehim.IwanttoseehimgrowlikeIwanttoseemyownsongrow.x1dKItx19sworthitbecauseitx19swhatGodcalledmetodo.AndIgettoseeTaylorgrow.OvertheyearsKeithhasbondedwithTaylorasthetwohavejourneyedside-by-sideintheFathersintheFieldministry.