The Craft
I am on spring break; therefore, I get to sleep late, and see the sun come up, if only for one week. I was at Lowe's Home store today, doing what most men do: looking at the new tools. It was then I heard a familiar voice, "Grand MAster, it's good to see you, I miss seeing you at lodge." Thank you Brother, I miss all my brothers. It was then that I heard the question that I had not heard since 2021. "Grand Master, why did you stop attending the lodge and Grand Lodge?"
The answer is simple: it was an honor to serve the craft, and I truly miss being with my brothers. Essentially, it is summed up in two separate yet united talks I gave, one of my first entitled The Silent Departure and my last as Grand Master entitled One Shining Moment.
I was honored to be taught the first- and third-degree lectures by Worshipful Brother Grady Rienhart. The second degree lecture I learned from M.W. Brother Jesse Branham. I would travel across our state when asked and give the lectures. I was asked to attend and help a struggling lodge (three hours from my home), and I agreed. I recall two specific details of that night:
1. It was a third degree, and the attendance was modest.
2. When the time for the lecture arrived, the WM and all his officers, and those attending either left or adjourned to the fellowship hall, leaving the new MM and me alone in the lodge room.
I returned home, arriving around 2:20am the next morning. Now I get up at 5:30 am to leave for work, but I could not sleep thinking about the lodge officers and their decision to place no importance on the lessons contained in the third degree lecture. I went to my office, picked up my pen, and wrote the following poem.
The Silent Departure
I went to lodge the other day
And found men building walls not made of clay
With a Bible given to rule and guide
These brothers content to sit and glide
Aprons still white, but their tools unused
They sat not knowing what to pursue
The minutes were read and then approved
Trapped in darkness, with nothing to do
I thought of the Brothers who had walked that way
With sacrifice, and love not given for pay
Together they worked to help this town
Never complaining, not even a sound
They met to Enter, Pass, and Raise
Men of vision who would walk GOD’S way
On level, by plumb, and square
They showed this town not to despair
The meeting now closed, and then adjourned
I wondered if GOD’S light would ever return
Continuing to walk away
I thought of all I had seen that day
I saw a Square and Compass bold
On a building small, un-kept and cold
What builders had taken years to do
Was now forgotten, in a day or two
Soli Deo Gloria
Jay Adam Pearson
One Shining Moment
Those of you that know me realize I am an avid University of North Carolina Basketball fan,
but do you know why I am such a fan? I am a fan because UNC incorporates a plan of each player
is part of a cohesive unit, consequently the sum of the whole parts is what makes a great TEAM,
not one player. Just consider the Road to the Final Four. "One Shining Moment" is an inspirational song written by David Barrett about the Men's College Basketball Championship.
This song is traditionally played at the end of CBS Sports' coverage of the championship game
of the tournament as the winning team's players cut down the nets, to a montage of highlights from
the tournament. Regardless of whether UNC wins or loses, I always watch One Shining Moment because they show excerpts from the field of 65, and when you watch, you remember that any team
can win on any given night. The lyrics to the song are:
The ball is tipped and there you are you're running for your life you're a shooting star. And all the years
no one knows just how hard you worked but now it shows... (in)
ONE SHINING MOMENT, IT'S ALL ON THE LINE ONE SHINING MOMENT,
THERE FROZEN IN TIME But time is short and the road is long, in the blinking of an eye
ah that moment's gone. And when it's done win or lose you always did your best cuz inside you knew...
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED DEEP INSIDE ONE SHINING MOMENT,
YOU KNEW YOU WERE ALIVE. Feel the beat of your heart, feel the wind in your face, it's more than
a contest, it's more than a race...And when it's done, win or lose, you always did your best cuz inside you
knew...(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED FOR THE SKY ONE SHINING MOMENT,
YOU KNEW ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU WERE WILLING TO TRY ONE SHINING MOMENT.
I have often said, “Do not reach for the stars, reach to shake the hand of GOD, and if you fail,
then grasp a star on your way down.” Perhaps this world would be a kinder, gentler place if we viewed
life as a gift of one shining moment. That is what I hope for. The past 2 years, I have had the honor
to serve with you and be your Grand Master. This has truly been one shining moment in my life,
and I hope it was in your life as well. So when I have run my course, and my life on earth is done,
I will smile and know I did my best, and if, when my family and friends consign my earthly remains
to the grave, I hope they smile and realize 3 things:
My life pointed to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
That my life was simply one shining moment, and win or lose, I did my best.
That they realize the one shining moment I shared with family and friends made a difference in my life.
Life, it’s not about me…
Your friend and Brother from Inman
Jay Adam Pearson GM 2011-2013
I love our fraternity and will not speak disparaging words. I simply say in closing, “all glory is fleeting.” However, our morals, masonic standards, and obligations remain until time shall be no more.
