The Noticer Project: The Five People Who’ve Had the Biggest Influence on My Life

by | Apr 24, 2009 | Misc | 0 comments

In his new book, The Noticer, Andy Andrews pays tribute to a man* who impacted his life. Plus, he invites his readers to “notice” those that have changed their lives. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to five of the many people have impacted my life.

William Bert Whitlock
Those who know me are not surprised to see my dad, Bill Whitlock, at the top of the list. My dad was my hero, my teacher, my personal coach, and the best mentor anybody could have. I never questioned his love for me. I could always trust him.

The most powerful lesson I learned from him about fatherhood, was “Let your son tag along behind the scenes of your life.” James Dobson is fond of saying that life’s lessons are caught and not taught. Dad gave me ample opportunities to catch his life. I’m grateful for all of the private moments that many many others never saw. Like kneeling with his players to say Lord’s Prayer before basketball games. My dad never prayed aloud in our family or in meetings. He was shy that way. But I know he was a man of prayer because of many private moments. It didn’t surprise me after my mom’s successful cancer surgery, that dad bowed in silent prayer with me to give thanks for what the doctors—and God–did on that day. I invite you to read about my dad by clicking here and here. It’s just a son’s perspective, but I’ll do everything I can not to let his memory die.

I give tribute also to Keith Naylor. Keith was a local pastor at a small church in Clarkston, Georgia. He reached out to high school students in the area. He had played pro basketball but an injury sidelined him. He played with Athletes in Action for a while before getting more education and moving to Clarkston to help start the church. Keith spoke at our Fellowship of Christian Athletes Thanksgiving banquet about “what it is, what it was, and what it shall be.” For the first time in my life, I understood the gospel clearly and plainly. That night, I couldn’t sleep so I slipped out of my bed, knelt in the darkness, and prayed, “Whatever this thing called a Christian is, I want to be one.” Keith was also instrumental in my early Christian growth. I attended a small Bible study with him on Friday mornings at 6:00 a.m. My mom never understood what would get a teenage boy up and out of the house by 5:45 a.m. Keith, and his fellow pastors Bill Jones and Barry St. Clair, were at the right place at the right time. Tragedy struck our school when a track athlete with a rare heart condition died during a workout. Keith was there when our student body hurt and needed answers. God brought many fellow students to Christ during that season.

Donnie Bixler was my best friend in high school. Even though Donnie was two years older than me, we hit it off and connected on many fronts. We went to concerts together and listened to music. We were in Scouts together. More than anything else, Donnie was a voice of encouragement to me as a new Christian. He didn’t let me get away with much. He had the courage to call a spade a spade. He also let me see into his family. I’m an only child so the idea of brothers and sisters was alien to me. I saw the love and care that he had for his siblings and they had for him. When I found out the Donnie had a brain tumor, my heart sank. I couldn’t understand why God would want to take him away in such a painful way. He was such a faithful servant. He loved his wife. He loved his boys. His boys were very young when God took him home. I think of him often. I also pray for his wife and his sons.

Bob Lepine is a Reformation Man. I use that phrase in contrast to a renaissance man. If there are people who are “jacks of all trades but masters of none” then Bob is Aces all around. Elvis impersonator. Theology scholar. Standup comic. Music trivia savant. Mellifluous-throated radio man. Relationship master. Creative Merlin. When I went to work for Bob, I was a young 23-year-old. Bob was generous to let me pick his brain. To be honest, he probably spent way too much time letting me pick his brain, but I’m grateful for the wisdom that I gleaned from those hours together. I’m grateful for his belief in me. I’m grateful for the wisdom I continue to carry with me that I learned from him. Bob quotes Philippians 2:3-4 so often that I memorized it just being around him. “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Bob lives his life this way I think that’s why he has so many friends and is so influential on so many fronts.

Besides my father, the person who has had the biggest influence on my life is my wife, Kaye. She has seen my best and she has seen my worst. No matter what, she loves me and believes in me. Kaye has an uncanny ability to give others the benefit of the doubt. I’ll feel cheated, angered, belittled, or wronged, and yet she will be able to give me perspective and ask questions that I haven’t. That is a powerful gift. Kaye is a walking example of endurance. She deals with severe joint pain hour by hour. How she accomplishes everything she does every day boggles my mind. She overcomes for the sake of our children and me. I wish others could see all that she does in private to make our family work. Kaye is also responsible for my career success. Early in our marriage, I learned to love reading because of her influence. She’s also taught me about what’s important to a daughter. Her observations about her own dad and femininity in general have made me a better dad to our three girls. We will celebrate 19 years of wedded bliss on May 5. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.

I also keep a list of unofficial mentors. There are authors I’ll never meet and regular folks you’ll never meet. Like every award winner, making a list is always dangerous. There will be dozens left off, I’m sure.

I “notice” them as well and am grateful for their influence in my life. I challenge you to notice five people today. Link back to this blog or facebook page. Don’t forget to notice them at http://thenoticerproject.com.