Welcome back to another edition of Sunday Legacy Letters. I’m so glad you’ve decided to spend a few minutes of your morning with me. These letters are a chance for us to step back from the noise of the world, reflect on where we’ve been, and look at where we are going. Today, I want to share a story from my past that I don’t talk about often, but it’s a period of my life that taught me everything I know about the importance of staying grounded in a world that often feels like it’s drifting.
Life has a funny way of taking us on detours. We start out with a grand plan, thinking we know exactly where the finish line is, only to realize that the race we’re running isn't the one we were meant for. For me, that realization came in the back of a converted van somewhere between a high school locker room and a professional tennis court.
The Dream and the Reality of the Road
Most people don’t know this, but my professional tennis career lasted for less than a year. At the time, it felt like the beginning of something massive. My friend and I were young, ambitious, and ready to take on the world. We didn’t have a massive sponsorship or a luxury tour bus. Instead, we had a converted van and a dream.
We embarked on an exciting journey, traveling across the country to our first tournament destination: Virginia Beach, Virginia. The logistics were gritty. Along the way, we made impromptu stops at public tennis courts just to practice for a few minutes and keep our rhythm. Living in the van meant we had to get creative with basic necessities. We would discreetly enter high school or college locker rooms just to freshen up or take a much-needed hot shower. It was an adventure, to say the least, but it was also a period of total uncertainty.
When you are living that way, you are exposed to a lot. As we competed in various cities, we had the opportunity to meet tennis players from all corners of the country and even from around the world. On the surface, it looked like the ultimate life: traveling, competing, and meeting new people. But beneath the surface, something much darker was brewing.
Walking Through the Spiritual Wasteland
Each city we visited seemed to turn into a vibrant party scene the moment the matches were over. I was honestly taken aback by how readily available everything was. Alcohol, drugs, and casual sexual encounters weren't just present; they were the expected norm. It felt like a spiritual void.
I had never encountered anything like it before. I want to be clear: I wasn’t perfect myself. I’ve made my share of mistakes. But as I looked around at the "lifestyle" of the professional circuit, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong. It wasn't just about the behavior; it was about the emptiness behind it. It was a spiritual wasteland where people were chasing temporary highs to fill a permanent hole in their souls.
Amidst this turmoil, I realized I had to make a choice. I knew I couldn’t continue down that path without losing the core of who I was. I decided to leave my partner behind and return home. It was one of the hardest decisions I had ever made because it felt like walking away from a dream. But in reality, I was walking away from a nightmare to save my future.
Lessons from Psalm 106
Have you ever found yourself in a spiritual wasteland? Maybe it isn't a professional sports tour. Maybe it’s in your workplace, where integrity is a foreign concept. Maybe it’s in your city, or even in the atmosphere of your own home.
In Psalm 106, the psalmist recounts a time when the people of God faced a incredibly bleak period. Despite being blessed and fruitful, they were hated and mistreated by their enemies. They were trapped in a spiritual wasteland: oppressed and enslaved by a culture that didn't know God. They were surrounded by darkness and had lost their way.
But here is the beautiful part: God did not abandon them.
He sent Moses and Aaron. Now, if you know the story, you know they weren't exactly lining up for the job. They reluctantly answered the call to lead. They were flawed men, but through their obedience, they performed miracles and set God’s people free from their spiritual wasteland. They worked wonders in the midst of darkness because they were willing to be the light.
Being the Light in Your Sphere of Influence
At Operation T.A.G. (Tangible Act of Gratitude), we see this every day. Our mission is built on the idea that we are called to be a light in our communities. We work with veterans and military families who have spent years in literal and figurative wastelands, serving our country in the darkest places on earth. When they come home, they deserve to find a community that is ready to lead with gratitude and integrity.
In the same way, God calls each of us to make a difference in our own spheres of influence. Whether it’s in our cities, our schools, our local governments, or even within our own homes, we are called to step up and lead by example. We are called to be the light in the darkness, setting the standard for others to follow.
When I walked away from that tennis tour, I didn't know what was next. But I knew that I wanted to build something that had meaning. That journey eventually led to the creation of the Hometown Hero Credit.
Tangible Acts of Gratitude
Our non-profit program is designed to be a "Moses" of sorts for military families trying to navigate the complex and often overwhelming world of homeownership. We provide the Hometown Hero Credit, which is a 2% credit up to $21,000 to help military members, veterans, and Gold Star families buy or refinance a home.
Choosing the Path of Leadership
Looking back on my "van life" days, I realize that the spiritual wasteland I encountered was a test. It was a moment where I had to decide if I would blend into the darkness or head toward the light.
If you feel like you’re in a spiritual wasteland today, remember that you have the power to make a difference. You don't have to be perfect to be a leader. Moses wasn't perfect. Aaron wasn't perfect. I certainly wasn't perfect. But when we embrace the call to lead, our actions bring hope and transformation to those around us.
We see this leadership in our Brand Ambassadors: the real estate agents and loan officers who partner with Operation T.A.G. to ensure our veterans are taken care of. They choose to forgo a portion of their own gain to ensure the hero gets the credit they deserve. That is leadership. That is being the light.
Today, What Will You Do?
The road to the spiritual wasteland is wide and paved with easy choices. The road out of it is often narrow and requires the courage to walk away from things that don't serve your soul.
As you go into this week, I want to challenge you to look at your sphere of influence. Where can you be a "Moses"? Where can you set a standard of integrity, kindness, and gratitude? Whether it’s helping a fellow veteran find out about the $21,000 credit they’ve earned, or simply being the one person in your office who refuses to join in on the gossip, your light matters.
Today, what will you do?
Brett Stacy
National Director & Founder of the Hometown Hero Credit
A program of Operation T.A.G. (Tangible Act of Gratitude)
A 501(c)(3) non-profit project of HDCF
Websites: www.OperationTAG.org | www.HometownHeroCredit.com
Phone: 760-456-8748 (24-hour Information Line)
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