Someone else?

I found out today that an old friend had died. He was more than a friend, he was a mentor, and he was my old boss. His name was Bill, and he changed my life.

There was a period in my life that I was going nowhere, no one thought that I would amount to much, heading down was my destiny. In short I was a what the french call, a loser. I moved from job to job listless and bored. I lost some jobs because I didn't like them, or, more likely, they didn't like me. No one would give me a chance or believe in me, and in turn I didn't believe in myself. I needed "someone else", then there was Bill. He owned a tire store in Muskegon Mi. and he gave me a chance. He saw something in me that others did not, and more importantly he saw something in me that I did not. He gave me responsibilities that no one else would; he gave me direction that no one else could; he gave me a sense of trust and a sense of confidence. If not for Bill, I am unsure of where I would be today.

 He was part absent minded professor, part philosopher, and part genius. He was probably the smartest man I have ever known, but was not the kind that would rub it in your face, or make you feel inferior to him. He was also the nicest man I have ever known, sometimes to a fault, but that was Bill. And I am glad to have known him, and even more glad that he had an integral part in my life! He taught me about the value of loyalty, the value of kindness, and the value of listening. He taught me to expect the best of people, and though you will be disappointed from time to time, always be willing to forgive and always do what you can to help a fellow human being. And most importantly, he taught me the meaning of being a man, and that part of being a man was taking care of your family. 

He was there for me when I told him I was marrying my love Amy; he was there for me when we had our first child; he was the one who gave me the confidence to go to college and pursue my calling of ministry; he was there when I needed a job after college while I waited for my first ministry; and he was there when I left for that ministry. He was always there when I was in need. As I said, if not for Bill, I am unsure where I would be. Bill changed my life.

Bill was not what the world would describe as successful. His business always seemed to hang by a thread. And he never cared if his was the biggest tire store on the block. He never let the idea of competition be the driving force of his life, simplicity was the key. All he ever wanted was to be able to supply quality service to his customers, ensure that his employees were treated very well, and that his family was taken care of. However, sometimes success doesn't come from being the biggest, or the most well known, but from helping out people who need it. Even when it is a dumb kid who doesn't know which way to hold a hammer or what he is even doing with his life. 

Sometimes success doesn't come to us the way we dream it. Sometimes success isn't what you accomplish, it is what you do to help others accomplish their dreams. One of the things I see Jesus do is help those who are in need, he showed compassion to those that that were considered untouchable, he showed mercy to the weak, and above all he showed love to the loveless: When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew 8:1-3 ESV)

Bill showed me the greatest thing that one person can show to another: love. Let me ask, who are you showing love to? Who are you being an encouragement to? Who are you showing compassion to? Sometimes our greatest success doesn't come to us, but to another who we show love to.

So, may you show love to another person who is need of your help. May you be an encouragement to a struggling kid whose life is heading down, so that when they look back they will see "someone else". May you be that "someone else"  and help change a life. May you be like Bill.

                                                                                                        Peace and Love,

                                                                                                                            Steve