GOD-ORDERED STEPS: Texas author Larry LeFlore, PhD on his new book: ‘I wanted to leave something for my two grandchildren to have as a reference when they are older’
Andre Johnson 
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV)
JOHN 10:10 AFFECT
DALLAS — Much to his delight, Larry LeFlore, PhD enjoyed an illustrious, prosperous professional career, one that spanned some four-and-a-half decades.
What was his key to reaping sustained success in his chosen profession?
For starters, Dr. LeFlore would be the first to admit that He steadfastly allowed God to strategically order his steps.
“I consulted, prayed, and was guided by God in all my 45-year professional career that started with six years in government agency and 39 years in higher education,” Dr. LeFlore told Making Headline News this week. “In the first instance, I advanced through the ranks of institutional social worker at an institution for delinquent youth, to a juvenile court probation officer, to a juvenile court administrator, to the state regional director for youth court services in sixteen counties.
BUY DR. LEFLORE’S BOOK: https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/832161-being-and-becoming
“In a six-year period, I went from what may be regarded as the lower-level positions managing case files and treatment for delinquent and status offense youths to a position where I was the hiring officer, responsible for the continuous training of personnel, developer of and implementor of research proven rehabilitation strategies for delinquent and status offense youths. This trajectory was so fluid that I could not own the success myself. I accepted and acknowledged often and that it was God’s favor. There was no doubt at all.”
Indeed, it was the supernatural favor of God that, by all accounts, has greatly inspired Dr. LeFlore to vividly chronicle his awe-inspiring, life-altering journey by way of Being And Becoming: Knowing And Acceptance of Self Are Essential For Self-Actualization, his recently-released memoir that jumpstarted his authorship debut.
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“After about a year of conceptualizing and drafting outlines, I sat down and began a narrative to the outline in August of 2019,” said Dr. LeFlore, explaining the memorable developments that ultimately led to the production of his highly-anticipated book. “The first completed manuscript of 75,000 words was ready for an editor about three months later, October 2019. It was an early morning and late-night affair at least six days per week. Again, God’s blessings kept me focused and energized through all first draft.”
And the rest, as they say, was history.
Released officially in March 2022, Dr. LeFlore’s Being And Becoming: Knowing And Acceptance of Self Are Essential For Self-Actualization precisely chronicles his journey, during which he grew up poor in a single-parent home and without any role models to lead him to what this author describes as “a professional career identity,” according to a detailed synopsis of Dallas/Fort Worth-based writer’s book at Amazon.com.
“Having struggled with self-doubt and low self-esteem, he had no real aspirations in childhood,” said an Amazon spokesperson for Dr. LeFlore’s Being And Becoming: Knowing And Acceptance of Self Are Essential For Self-Actualization. “But in college, his sociology and psychology classes transformed how he thought about himself and the world.”
Consequently, Dr. LeFlore began working with delinquent children after graduating from college, a trend that would ultimately give way to him feeling a sense of purpose and success.
Interestingly enough, when administrators at the University of Southern Mississippi noticed how he’d reformed the juvenile court system, they recruited him to assist in establishing a master’s degree program with an emphasis in juvenile justice.
After an “incredible and rewarding” career at USM, he retired at age 49 before going on to excel at administrative positions at West Virginia University and Texas Women’s University, said an Amazon spokesperson for Dr. LeFlore’s featured book.
“Join the author as he shares how he overcame obstacles to enjoy professional success in Being and Becoming.”
There are, in fact, two wonderfully amazing reasons Dr. LeFlore deemed it essential to produce Being and Becoming.
“I wanted to leave something for my two grandchildren to have as a reference when they are older,” Dr. LeFlore told MHN. “When I started the book, they were six and five years of age. Amanda, my wife, and I thought we would not have grandchildren. Nylah wasn’t born until I was 64-years of age and Elijah was born 14 months later. God blessed us with two grandchildren and, as you notice, a boy and a girl.”
Dr. LeFlore doesn’t shy away from the notion that his grands are his pride and joy, in large part because he “had no father or grandfather on either side of the family,” he recalls.
“I want (my grandchildren) to know who I am (and was),” Dr. LeFlore said. “To buttress that wish, I am in their lives as much as we can without them spoiling me and me spoiling them. We purchased a new house around the corner from them to assist in their early development.
FAITH & FAMILY
“In addition, I really wanted my siblings, cousins, and other relatives to have a document of things that may serve as a reference for our family,” Dr. LeFlore continued. “It will be inspirational and serve as a seminal document such that others may write about themselves and their experiences.”
Now that Book No. 1 has come to fruition, other written works are forthcoming, Dr. LeFlore announced.
Much sooner rather than later, it seems.
“I am at distinct stages of writing two books,” Dr. LeFlore said. “One that I am tentatively entitling Fifty Years of Marriage: We Did It Our Way. This is an honor to Amanda, my wife for the last 51 years. My goal is to highlight how God’s presence in our relationship helped to fortify our relationship, although we did some things that went against social norms or what others say are necessary for marital success.
“The second book is tentatively titled From Relevance To Irrelevance To Relevance. In this book, my objective to examine intra-and-interpersonal issues associated with moving from lengthy professional careers where life had a certain personal relevance. Professional titles, licenses, meetings, journals, and others were perceived as important with status ramifications.
“When one’s professional career ends — “after 45 years for me,” Dr. LeFlore said — those professional trappings are of less importance in defining one’s personhood, thus the personal irrelevance. I argue that we must feel relevant, valued, important and have others feel we are relevant, valued, and important.”
By and large, Dr. LeFlore acknowledged the illustrious, well-respected professional career he enjoyed for more than four decades is indicative of how he’s been blessed mightily to emerge as an example of God’s love and favor.
BUY DR. LEFLORE’S BOOK: https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/832161-being-and-becoming
“I am not perfect,” Dr. LeFlore says without hesitation. “I have multiple deficits, but I stayed focused on Him and believed I would be successful in using my talents to the extent He blessed me. I have been humble and prayerful and have and are sharing His good news. His blessings have helped me live out a personal prayer (Help me to be alert to human needs and to share with others the blessings He has bestowed on me). He has blessed me beyond my needs, and I have been able to realize that prayer in so many ways throughout my life. Good is good.”
All the time.
And all the time, God is good.
For more information about Dallas/Fort Worth Author Larry LeFlore, PhD, to order his books, to schedule him for a public appearance, book signing or speaking engagement, send email to: [email protected].
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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