07
Mar 2019
432
I truly believe my wisdom started on September 19, 1998. Under the Friday night lights, 3rd game of the new season. I subbed in for Levar Mitchell in the 1st quarter of the what was sure to be a tough game against Clinton High. I went to make a gang tackle with teammate Adam Easton and ended up tearing 3 of the 4 ligaments in my knee courtesy of the tailback’s helmet.
Even a contortionist would cringe at this point. Surgery, months of therapy, and a strong will ensued. I battled back to play my senior year without fear of contact. This taught me that, physically, I can overcome any obstacle with just a closer walk with HIM.
Fast forward to about 5 years ago and I’m looking for a higher position in my field. From here to literally California, I filled out applications to see what my industry would say about my resume. “Over qualified, looking for more experience, and will not pay for relocation” came back daily for 2 months. Then right across the parking lot of my current job, came a call back from Mix 101.5. They were launching a new morning show and loved my resume. They also figured out that I was the same Ron that called in to the show and had them cracking up on my “cash only transaction” story. A week earlier. 3 phone interviews and 1 in person interview later, I was in the top 3 and awaiting their call. Also, I was in the top 2 candidates to head to Clayton and start a brand new station from the ground up.
I will never for get the day I was told, “well the other person turned down the job, so it’s yours if you want it.”…. Skills in digital design, creating logs, fixing software issues, co-hosting morning shows, and I even received an award from Curtis Media that most don’t get within 3 years of being in management. How could I not be the first pick? I had another option, why would I take second place? I really didn’t want the job at 102 at this point, but for 3 straight days as I prayed HE told me to “come home”…. over and over, when ever I thought about the decision. So… I took it, thinking it was a grave mistake, but happy to have the chance to follow HIM far beyond my true wishes. I learn how to build a station from the ground up and the skills I had stored all these years, opened up, evolved, and help place 102.3 on the map for years to come.
Year 2 at my new station and I get an alert on my phone about an immediate job opening for a morning drive DJ on Mix 101.5. On further investigation, the morning show I turned down was leaving… I looked up and said “thank you Lord, I could be looking for a job right now instead of having one”. I had followed HIM, heard the voice of wisdom over my own voice and what was to happen next… totally blew my mind once I saw the full picture… First, a verse that has always stuck with me ever since the job search.
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”