One last dance

As most of you know, I was adopted. I've always known who my biological mom is (Bonnie) and have maintained a close relationship with her for as long as I can remember. I never call her mom but she is the woman who gave birth to me so obviously we have a close connection. And because of that close connection, I have always cared for her and wished her nothing but the best. She has always deserved to be treated like a lady and her current husband Burnie, did just that. He always put her on a pedestal. He treated her with respect and with faithfulness. One heck of a man.
Burnie Ballard suffered a heart attack and passed away yesterday at the age of 60.
Burnie Ballard grew up and lived in Pageland S.C. He was a respected lawyer and everyone knew him and loved him. He just had that "teddy bear" personality. Although he did not have children of his own, he loved his "step" grand kids dearly. Adored them would be a better description. He was a man of integrity and a eternal spring of knowledge. He was simply "Burnie". A loving husband, a caring grandfather, a wonderful son, and a dedicated friend. To me, he was the man who treated my biological mom like she was born to be treated. And because of that, it is easy for me to call him my "step-dad".
If there is one story I could tell that would help you understand the type of man he was, it would be this: Burnie, Bonnie, my half sister Amanda, and her daughter were visiting for Shae's birthday. We were all at my in-laws house and were sitting around after the party. The kids were napping and we were talking. Someone asked where Burnie was. He had gotten up about 10 minutes earlier and never returned. I stood up from the table and glanced out the window to the back yard. Wouldn't you know, there's Burnie laying on the slope of the yard. Glasses off and sound asleep. Not a care in the world.
Renee and I are both heart broken and we are also jealous. "Papa" Burnie is in heaven holding our boys. :)
We will never be able to grasp why loved ones are taken from us. We do know that only God knows when our time is up. Bonnie and Burnie were getting ready to watch a football game. They were both standing in the middle of the living room when Bonnie felt the urge to walk over to her husband, hold him, and just dance with him. She made her move and he obliged. It might have been their last dance together, but it is one dance that will last forever. Burnie and Bonnie Ballard will always be dancing with a little help from our friend. Thank you God.
Please keep our family in your prayers.

RIP Burnie Ballard.

Scott Britt

My daily drive

I started my new job the first week of October. It is in Buckhead off of Piedmont road and if anyone else works downtown then you know how the drive is to and from. In the past 2 months I have had at least 2 hours a day all to myself. This job has given me the opportunity to spend a lot of time thinking and talking to God. Today was no different except for the conversation I had.
Most of you at some point or another have heard someone tell you "God has big plans for you." I have always thought, if God has big plans for me, why would he tell you? Why doesn't he tell me? On my way home today, I once again wished I knew what His plan for me was. Why doesn't He show me?
The background picture on my phone is of my beautiful wife Renee and our beautiful daughter, Shae. As I was talking with God about his plan for me, my phone rang. I picked my phone up and it was then that I remembered exactly what his plan for me was. I stared at the picture of Renee and Shae and said "priest, protector, provider". God's plan for me is to be a faithful, loving, understanding, and respectful husband to my wife. To meet her every need. His plan for me is to be a loving and positive model for my daughter. His plan for me is to lead my family spiritually. To protect them and provide for them.
For me, this is going to be the start of standing up for my family and embracing what God has called fathers and husbands to do.
Hope everyone is doing well. Take care.

Scott