Ivey Herren Jr. is the 3rd generational owner of Herren Tire Service Inc. Throughout his life, Ivey has struggled with his self-image and the opinion of others. This interview mainly focuses on being content with yourself and bringing awareness to the struggle of life in general, and doing something to turn it around. Ivey Herren wants to share his experiences and the lessons he has learned with our readers to enlighten them and bring awareness that they may not otherwise have.
"There are brighter days ahead if you choose to stick it out."
What were some main events that occurred in your life that evolved you to the person you are today?
I grew up in a loving home, surrounded by 2 amazing parents who loved me unconditionally. They taught me how to be an honest man with integrity, and with leading by example. They taught me that this life would be difficult, but we keep persevering with a strong faith that Jesus will see us through it all. They taught me how to treat others the way I would want to be treated. They truly were the parents I didn’t deserve.
Also while thinking about events that transformed me into the man I was, I’m reminded of John 3:16 ministries. If I had to be honest with you, this is where my life truly began. This is where I learned that life is temporary but serious. Sometimes when we have things too good, we don’t take things seriously. My parents provided me with a dream of a childhood and I didn’t take it seriously. When you ask others who Ivey Herren was years back, you would have got 100 different answers.
Let’s go back a little while to my childhood. Born and raised in a Christian home, I knew right from wrong. I had a friend in my 10th-grade year named Hunter Collins, who I switched to public school for. But before I made it to that school, he tragically died in a car accident. At the time, Hunter was my only friend. But I had made a commitment to go to that school, so I continued forward. When arriving there, I realized quickly I wasn’t good enough from a worldly standard. I was too skinny, had too blonde hair, and was just not good enough.
So I made a change. I began partying, consuming anabolic steroids, and such. I made myself into the image of being a guy that no one ever bullied again. I succeeded. But the result of your poor decisions always has consequences.
I transitioned into college, and couldn’t stay out of trouble. Drinking alcohol became normal, along with other things. Constant trips to the county jail, a crying mother at the end of a phone line, with hurt and betrayal uprooted hate and bitterness in my life. I was never gonna be good enough to be like my Dad.
The cycle continued and became at an all-time high after 2014. I just couldn’t get it right and didn’t want to get right. It became normal.
In 2019, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 liver esophagus and lung cancer. I remember that day receiving the news, I was broken. I was losing my best friend, and he hasn’t even seen me come out of the pit. I continued in my ways until after his passing. Really missing my best friend, I began to think, “I know the good lord has a plan for me and this isn’t it.”
6 months after his death, I was lonely and secluded. Feeling that death is your only option is a scary agenda. I finally gave up and gave in. I talked to a good friend of mine Steve Garmath, and he said he knew the perfect place for me.
I arrived at John 3:16 and my life changed forever. I learned how to become a man through hard work and determination to never give up in this life. Struggles will come, but they are sure to pass as well. After 8 months of getting a firm foundation with the Lord, I graduated on December 26, 2021. My life has never been the same.
I prayed in John 3 for the things I have today. I prayed for a loving wife and a family, and for me to be able to successfully run our family's business. The Lord has given me so much more though, than just a business. He gave me a whole new life and a testimony. If you are struggling today with addiction, hurt, bitterness, anger, greed, or resentment.. let me encourage you that none of this is in vain. There are brighter days ahead if you choose to stick it out. The choice is yours. I know what I’m going to choose every single day for the rest of my days.
Victory.
The funny thing about victory is, that it’s simply a choice. You must be willing to choose victory every day, even when the days are long and hard. You must choose to never give up and keep fighting. Trust me, I know the days are hard. I know they’re long. I know some days are unfair. But you just have to do one simple thing. Keep moving forward. If you can acquire this feature, you can rise above anything that’s ahead of you. I’m no longer the man I use to be, simply because I choose victory each and every single day. I choose to be successful in my relationships, in my family, in my business, etc. You simply just have to make that choice. Are you going to be a prisoner to your past, or are you going to use your past as a stepping stone to your future?
The choice is yours.
"Gods strength doesn’t depend on my strength."
How would you describe the person you were as a child?
I was the happiest kid alive. Nothing was gonna make Ivey Jr. have a bad day. I enjoyed Karate, being a momma's boy, and just living without a care in the world. I remember looking at my dad saying, “Wow I wanna be just like my daddy when I’m older.” I was a super good kid, full of energy, well-behaved, but wild. Some things never change.
I enjoyed friends, video games, and sleepovers. I remember one time as a kid, me and Hunter were on vacation in Gatlinburg hanging out and seeing a jacuzzi. We decided to fill it up with soap only to find out it flooded the cabin with suds and bubbles when we left. Those were the days.
Do you think you have changed personally? If so, explain why and how.
Change is an understatement. I recognized the change through me when my desires looked different. When I wanted to handle my problems in a way that I have never handled them before.
What my name used to mean 3 years ago shows that you can allow God to rewrite your story. Just be willing to make the changes necessary. Today my name means some of the following:
-father
-husband
-businessman
-loving son
None of these things I’m boasting about because let’s be honest, it’s nothing I’ve done. There are no coincidences in my life changes, but Jesus.
I’m no longer the reason that Cindy Herren cries and reaches out to God to save my soul, but now I’m one of the reasons she smiles.
Not only has my thought process changed, but so have my actions. This is a daily battle in making decisions that don’t always feel comfortable. Loving unlovable people. Handling out-of-control situations with a level head and integrity. This stuff takes work. But it’s achievable.
I am reminded of a scripture in the Bible that tells us when I am weak, He is strong. This portion of scripture tells me 2 things.
One of them is, I will have moments of weakness in this life. But my weakness, it will never take away from his strength. But the second thing being, that God's strength doesn’t depend on my strength. So the real issue lies in what Were willing to fight for.
Do I put up my hands and let it all go to go back to who I was, or do I decide no matter what happens, that I will choose to move forward? The choice is simply yours, just as mine.
What are you willing to fight, what are you willing to go through to get to?
Is it your kids? Your parents? Family? Spouse? And ask you something right now. Are they worth it? The answer is obvious.
But I want to take that even deeper. Do you think you are worth it? Psalms 139:13 - for you created my end most being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. The lord thought of you when he made you: he chose what color your eyes would be, all the way down to the sound of your voice. I’ll answer that for you. You are worth it.
The world has a void without you. You mean something. You are loved, and forgiven.
Believe in yourself, your kids, loved ones, family, and friends, they’re counting on you.
What separates my testimony from some Sunday morning messages is this. I chose to go forward even when I didn’t know what that looked like. That’s the difference between me and some of my brothers in Christ that fell by the wayside. I kept going. And you can too.
When you see me around, just remember, I am just nobody, connected to the ultimate somebody. A story of faith is almost always a “don’t give up” story of perseverance. A story of pushing through and refusing to put the puzzle away even when the picture isn’t clear.
I came home from work not too long ago, sat down, and talked with my mother about all the good things that were happening in my life. I saw joy and happiness all in her face. But I also sat down and talked with her about how I wish my Dad was here to see this day, and the joy he would have watching me grow in business, in life, and family.
It reminded me of how I would never let my mother down, because I made a promise to my dad, that I would take care of her for the rest of our days. Sitting in the prayer garden, my father was dying of cancer, talking with me about what if something happened to him, on how I was to be her protector. I can say now, I’m sticking to that promise.
I thought of all the times I wanted to be just like my dad. And the time is here.
I’m doing all the things he did, loved his family, took care of business, and served the community, and I think to myself, He’s not here to see it. But guess what?
My momma is! My wife is! My kids are! I have children that look up to me just as I looked to my father. I won’t let them down. You don’t have to either. And maybe you don’t have a wife and kids today, but your eyes are watching you. And they need you to step up in this hour and be who you are called to be. All excuses aside. The past is the past. And the lord is only looking at your present moment.
Who are you gonna be from this day forward? Are you going to just listen to testimonies? Or are you going to become one?
So remember, In your loneliness, there is an opportunity to discover his presence.
In your fear, there is an opportunity to discover His peace.
In your weakness, there is an opportunity to discover His strength
In your pain, there is an opportunity to discover His purpose
In your shame, there is an opportunity to discover his grace
In your darkness, there is an opportunity to discover His light.
Every scar tells a story - face your fears, and stop running.
The truth is, life is difficult for everyone. Some choose to be defeated. Others choose to overcome. Interestingly, it’s often the people who have faced the most difficult situations who succeed the most wildly.
"Keep. Moving. Forward."
Currently, how would you describe your support system and who are they?
My support system consists of one word. Family. My mother, wife, kids, and so many more. But it goes way deeper than blood to describe the word family. The people that I surround myself with during the day, including my work family, are beneficial to growing my life daily.
My late father's determination in leading a positive wholesome life, treating others the way he would want to be treated, with integrity and honesty, helped form me into the man I am today. He was my best friend and my role model. And my mother's prayers finally found me.
I don’t want to just hang out with winners. I once knew the feeling of being a “loser” as the world would say.
I want to hang with “losers” who became winners. Nothing is a greater feeling than hanging out with an individual that knows what it’s like to feel the lowest of the low but figured out a way to defy all odds, and simply become victorious. I want to surround myself with variety. Winners don’t mean they have the nicest cars, or a pocket full of money. Winners in my book mean they have overcome the odds. Winners in my book mean they have no longer accepted the victim mentality, and they have chosen today to be a victor. A winner in my book, is simply someone who just doesn’t give up.
I’m thankful for the people in my life, who encouraged me, and never gave up on me. I hope my story can help someone develop strength during hard enduring times, and the willpower to simply never give up. It’s possible. Just remember these next 3 words.
Keep. Moving. Forward.
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years from now?
I see myself in 10 years doing the best I can do, no matter what comes my way, serving others with nothing less than a smile, honesty, and integrity. I’m see myself willing and thankful to do whatever is required of me to continue building a legacy of service to others, reminding people that if God can use me and turn a story of broken pieces back into a story of redemption, He can do it for you too.
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