One day while camp was going on, I went back to the Y building to pick up some
supplies. When I got out of my car, a man approached me. As he was staggering
towards me, I could smell a very strong scent of alcohol.
"Lady!, Lady!" He said...there are still a lot of kids hanging out on the
street. You are doing a good job, but some of them are still out there, you
know.”
I assured him that I knew there were others in the neighborhood that needed our
services, but that I couldn't drag them to our programs, and that in time they
would come.
He told me he saw when I gave out clothes on the street and that we didn't treat
them like bums....and he had an idea.
"Good', I said, “tell me about it.” (Remember the letter that said, "The
undesirables of the streets shall be your extra hands!" Well I would never turn
anyone away...so I listened.)
His plan was to set up and train, a drill team of neighborhood kids. He would
teach them right were they were at...IN THE STREETS ...like I started. Then they
could do it and teach others in school and we would have a bigger drill team!
They could win medals and awards!
I agreed with him. It would be a wonderful opportunity for these kids. They
could march in all the parades, they could compete all around the state... And
who knows where it could lead them.
“However,” I told him, “we have a BIG (HUGE!) Problem that we must first handle.
YOU! You must always lead by example...NO DRINKING, SMOKING, or CURSING. You
must always be clean and neat. If you are homeless, we will feed you and get you
a place to live. We will get you clothing, so you can get a job and we will help
you anyway we can. But, you must do your part. We can get you help for your
drinking problem, but we can not do it for you. It will not be easy. But I know
you can do it, and if you have the desire in your heart to help these kids on
the street, God will give you the strength to do it. Remember, every time you
are tempted, think to yourself, ‘WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!”
With that I added "God loves you, and so do I!”
He started to cry (me too) and he said "You'll see…I can do it! You'll see!”
Again, I assured him we would be there to help him anyway he needed, and that
God sent him to us for a reason, a purpose.
How wonderful it would be if the kids of the street could see a life changing
experience in this old drunkard.
Weeks went by and I didn't see him around town. Then one day he suddenly
appeared at my car again. This time he was dressed neatly, shaved, smelling
clean, hair in place, and smiling.
I returned his smile, leaned over, kissed him, and told him that I knew he could
do it.
He asked me if I could drive him two places. One was for an interview for a job,
and the other, was a surprise for me… He wanted to show me something.
I did drive him where he wanted to go, and after the interview we drove a few
more blocks and he asked me to stop.
Then he asked if he could blow my whistle. It was around my neck. I gave it to
him, and told him that if he wanted to keep it, he could have it. But, what did
he want it for?
He smiled and said watch!
He blew the whistle loud...three times…
From ever direction came kids. All ages, all sizes, with sticks, garbage can
covers, and flags they had made. READY AND IN FORMATION! AND ME IN TEARS!
Without music, a drum or anything else, these kids banged out a beat, marched,
danced, jumped double-dutch to their own rhythms, and all in perfect step.
I couldn't stop crying. (I'm crying now) They were wonderful!
I kissed and hugged them all. Thanking them for such a wonderful gift, not only
for me but for "Sampson, a man of strength and courage."
“WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!"
© Carole Devecka God Given Daisies
CaroleDevecka@comcast.net
To see the first story in this series: These Are My Children
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.