Plain Speech with Philip Gulley

Plain Speech with Philip Gulley

A Conversion Story

Return to Harmony Chapter 24

Philip Gulley's avatar
Philip Gulley
Oct 10, 2025
∙ Paid
15
5
Share

Like many people, Sam Gardner had imagined what he might do if he ever won the lottery. He and Barbara talked about it on long car rides.

“First, I’d buy a new car,” Sam said. “Something a bit more comfortable. This Corolla is beating me to death. Then I’d feed the hungry and buy tiny houses for homeless people.”

This was a perpetual theme for Sam and Barbara on any car ride lasting more than an hour. His acts of charity ranged from feeding the hungry to shoeing the shoeless to paying the dental bills for Appalachian children weaned on Mountain Dew. Buying a new car for himself after such largesse hardly seemed extravagant.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Philip Gulley
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture