Never Too Old to Learn

Author: Denise May
Issue: 2008 March

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I heard the Lord speak to me but I just didn’t want to listen. Looking back, I know now why I never could achieve a different purpose. You just can’t replace God’s will with your own and truly be happy.”

Tyler said he became physically ill shortly before his acknowledgement of his calling.

The physicians couldn’t explain the symptoms that suddenly gripped a man who had enjoyed good health his entire life.

“Being sick gave me time to reflect upon my roots and remember the calling of my youth,” said Tyler. “As soon as I turned my life in God’s direction, my health returned and doors began to open wide.”

Tyler still wanted a college degree, but set his sights on a different degree - one in Christian education. The closest school to offer all the courses he needed was Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, but Tyler worried about the 60-mile round-trip he would have to make daily to attend.

“It wasn’t long before I got an answer to my prayer,” said Tyler. “Just about that time, OBU began to offer extension courses at St. John Missionary Baptist Church nearer to my home in Oklahoma City. Everything I needed was right there; it was a real blessing.”

When Tyler was only 15 hours from his degree, tragedy struck. His wife died and Tyler was so overwhelmed by the loss that he nearly withdrew from St. John’s. A friend of the family convinced him to keep going, and Tyler received his Bachelors degree in Christian Education on December 14, 2007 at the age of seventy-one.

“I told my grandchildren that at commencement ceremonies I was going to run across that stage, jump in the air and click my heels,” said Tyler. “Of course, that would have been inappropriate since graduation was held in a chapel. Still, it felt really great just to walk across and receive that diploma.”

Tyler said he never felt out of place being in school with much younger students. He enjoyed listening to their opinions and problems, remembering how it felt to be their age.

“I grew up being told that if you want to stay young, stay with the young folks,” said Tyler. “Just being around them helped me feel like young people do…like all your best days are ahead of you.”

Never Too Old to Learn

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