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It was over half a century ago, but
it could have just as easily been yesterday.
I was a student at Southeastern Bible
College, now Southeastern University, (a center of learning where I would,
ultimately, serve as an adjunct professor). As an off-campus, commuting student
I was required to attend chapel services 2-3 times a week.
The guest speaker at one of the
morning services was none other than Colonel Harland Sanders; founder and CEO
of the world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation.
As might be expected, “The Colonel”
was dressed in his equally world famous white suit, and “Southern plantation”
tie. As he was introduced by the president of our school, he slowly strode to
the podium, and proceeded to share the history of his enterprise, beginning
with his adornment of chicken cadavers with various herbs and spices, in an
attempt to determine just the right combination, for just the right taste. The
man in white went on to detail how a single rural location duplicated itself,
and how over the course of several years his brand of fried chicken became the
best known, and most loved product of its kind in the world.
Three things about the “Kentucky
Colonel” impressed me the most, or at least, have remained with me the longest.
His quiet and peaceful demeanor.
(Even with a microphone, and sitting within a few rows of the front of the
auditorium, I had to listen carefully to his words).
His “I’m really no different than you
are” sort of presentation. He knew his roots, and they were humbler than most
any member of the student body.
But more importantly, this man knew
who he was, and to Whom he belonged. The Colonel acknowledged his faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ, and gave Him the glory for how far He had brought him.
And though that old Southern
gentleman has long since gone on to his reward, and while poor facsimiles
of the Colonel have lately appeared on KFC commercials, of all the
chapel services I attended at my beloved school, I think I will always
remember, and cherish the one to which I have alluded the most.
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