"Just Unfriend Me ... Or Not" is a compilation of Facebook posts by author Stan Parris, who began doing the grocery shopping for his wife, Charlotte, after his retirement from fulltime ministry in 2016.
After 37 humorous stories about his shopping experiences, he decided that a retired minister should probably be writing more about life experiences, many of which come with a spiritual message or poignant reminders that life on Earth is short and temporary. So, the book is divided in two sections - or really two books - one called "Walmart Words," and the second, "Just Saying." Those words appear in each chapter as he makes his point.
Readers may find themselves laughing aloud while guiding their virtual buggies through their own grocery stores or Walmart Superstores in their hometowns. His inexperience as a grocery shopper becomes evident when Charlotte accompanies him on one of his adventures and grabs things from the shelves without consulting his "orderly" list of items to be purchased. He only thought he knew his way around the store before being "schooled" by his wife.
While the humor of "Walmart Words" may bring tears of laughter, the "Just Saying" portion may bring the other kind of tears as the author puts readers on the podium with him as he presides over funerals of loved ones or reflects on the lives of those he has known and loved. His points range from, "don't litter," to expressing the need to allow Jesus to be in control of people's lives.
Stan's first book, "Just Outside of Hope," recounts his experiences as a missionary in Venezuela and his mission trips into many countries as missions pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock. He retired as pastor of Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, the same city where he met his future wife while both were students at Henderson State University.
The author was raised just outside of Hope, as his dad always described his residency, and surrendered to the ministry while coaching football at Hope High School. He later returned to his hometown to pastor First Baptist Church.
