National Signing Day With Kaaryn Taylor

“A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16, NKJV

National Signing Day….  Until recently, I didn’t even know such a day existed. Now I find myself looking forward to it as a major milestone not only for our son, but for our family as well.

I am Kaaryn Taylor, and my husband and I have been entrusted by God to raise three children in the nurture and admonition of our Lord, Jesus – the Anointed One. Our eldest is Tony Taylor III, and on Wednesday he will sign a document in anticipation of the end of one season in his life and the beginning of another.

How did he get to this place where so many are interested in his decision, his future?  Only God knows the whole story, but I will share a glimpse of what I have seen unfold.

Tony and his siblings have always been good students, but organized sports have not always been a part of Tony’s life.  Tony played football for the first time ever in the fall of 2010 at age 14, and he played that first season with the Central DeKalb Jaguars.  After football season, he joined a basketball team also for the first time ever, helping his team to win their winter league championship.

In the spring and fall of 2011, Tony played football with the East Atlanta Mustangs in the Glory for Christ League.  (This was also the year he and his brother joined the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, in which they have both had amazing opportunities and are both currently Petty Officers.) 

In the fall of 2012, Tony transferred from Home School to Wesleyan School – a private Christian school.  (This is where he met Miles Smith, and our families became friends.)  Because of the rules in Georgia, Tony was not allowed to play varsity sports that first year but he played varsity his second year at Wesleyan, lettering in both football and track & field.  His third (and final) year at Wesleyan, he was not allowed to play any varsity sports at the beginning of the season (again because of the rules), but a Board hearing in September 2014 would determine if he would be allowed to participate in varsity
sports for the remainder of the 2014/2015 school year.  Thanks to the prayers of the entire Wesleyan School community, the Board ruled in favor of Tony and he
played varsity football as a high school senior.

Throughout all the adversities Tony faced, his faith in God’s plan for his life sustained him and kept him grounded.  Now, here we are, a few days before National Signing Day.  For Tony, this will take place during lunchtime at Wesleyan School.  How did he/we get here? By God’s Grace and Mercy – that’s how!