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I visited a friend today
who happens to be one of my heroes as well. He lives down a long stretch of
road from Meridian to Quitman. Hiway 145 and then a short jaunt down SR 472.
Evan caught a bad break in life ... but he sure has used it to impact some
people. He and his wonderful parents live in a home that Evan designed. It is a
nice home with wide halls. It has two sections ... one is where his parents
live and then there is his side of the house. It is where his computer and bed
is ... The first thing that will impress you about his home is the love his
parents have for him and the way they get along... I am amazed since I know
their journey ... and it has been a long one to say the least.
I first met them when I was a pastor in Pompano
Beach and was told that in the Miami project for quadriplegics there was a
family that was from Mississippi. I met them and we have been friends every
since. Evan loves the Lord and MSU football. He lives in that home with the big
halls because he has to maneuver his wheel chair. You should see him do it! He
is a painter and he runs his computer the same way with his mouth. He is my
hero for several reasons.
I want to mention a couple of them. Playing high
school football he was injured and before he graduated his whole rest of his
life was changed. I do not have any idea the whole story (but he promises me he
is writing a book and he will tell us) but somewhere in the middle of learning
to live with ironlungs, and wheel chairs, and no use of his feet or hands ...
he decided he could and he has been doing the "could now for a long time." He
is the director of the men's ministry at the church where his dad pastors. He
has tried coaching and teaching -- yes in a wheel chair -- and is a good
speaker and teacher. He has never quit and still has some goals out there. I am
in the process of writing a book on leadership and he will be in that book but
at least hear me say now that he is a guy who took a bad deal and has been
building on it every since. I think he is my hero because of his humor and his
desire and his character. I think he will be an inspiration to me for a long
time. Keep it guy ... and thanks for being in my life.
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After September 11, I
happened to call a man on business that I didn't know and have not, nor will
ever, talk to again. But this day, he felt like talking. He was head of
security of a company that had invited the remaining members of a company who
had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their office
space. With his voice full of awe he told me stories of why these people were
alive and their counterparts were dead ... and all the stories were just
"little" things.
- As you might know, the head of
the company got in late that day because his son started kindergarten.
- Another fellow was alive because
it was his turn to bring donuts.
- One woman was late because her
alarm clock didn't go off in time.
- One was late because of being
stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.
- One missed his bus.
- One spilled food on her clothes
and had to take time to change.
- One's car wouldn't start.
- One went back to answer the
telephone.
- One had a child that dawdled and
didn't get ready as soon as he should have.
- One couldn't get a taxi.
There were other stories that
I hope and pray will someday be gathered and put in a book.
The one that struck me was the man who put
on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work, but
before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a
drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.
Now, when
...I'm stuck in traffic
...miss an elevator
...turn back to answer a ringing telephone All the
little things that annoy me - I think to myself, this is exactly where God
wants me to be at this very moment.
"And we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
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