Saturday, January 8, 2011

Thankful



I know that by now most of you have seen on the news "the man with the golden voice", Ted Williams, a former drug addict, alcoholic father of nine that found his way into fame this week.  Last week, he was disheveled and unkempt holding a sign in the highway median, hoping for a few extra quarters, even dollars maybe, and a big break.





He was given his big break, and has several job offers from all over and from his home state of Ohio.  His mother and he were reunited, after she had given up on him because he lied and used people and drugs, in and out of rehab, and the sweet Christian lady just said she couldn't take it anymore.  That happens sometimes, we have to let go of situations we cannot fix.







Mother and son were interviewed quite extensively Friday morning on Good Morning America, and I thought the interview was in-depth, surprisingly for ABC.  Robin and George were, I think, blindsided by the wisdom of this man who once had it all and then blew it, turning away all the people who loved him, he said his kids just could NOT understand why he would throw away such a beautiful gift that was his voice.




Robin or George asked this man what would be different this time?  What had he learned from his time in the "gutter" so to speak.  I don't have exact quotes here, but basically the once-homeless man looked them straight in the eye and told them:

I REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE GOD, I REFUSED TO BE THANKFUL.

He said that he knew God existed, knew his mother believed and yet would NOT humble himself enough to acknowledge God.  But once he had NOTHING else, he did it.

He said that is what would be different this time.




It was amazing to watch this man, with his kind and elderly mother sitting next to him, who I am sure wore her knees out praying, just sit humbly and look Robin and George in the eyes and tell them that JESUS was the one who deserved all the credit and that He would get it this time.  (Mom also told the interviewers that God and her church family were the only reason she got through it all!)




He told how he had hurt his mother, his children and did NOT deserve this chance he'd been given.






What a lesson we can take from that.  He quoted this verse on national television this morning to an audience of millions:

Proverbs 3:6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding.  And in ALL your ways, acknowledge HIM and HE will direct thy paths.

If we have learned anything from the Bible, it is redemption, and I hope that his man is sincerely repentant and redeemed.  I hope that he continues to boldly speak the truth with that beautiful voice of his.  I hope he makes his children proud and makes up for lost time with extra love.

In this world where hands are stuck out more with the "you owe me" attitude, and most seem to be out looking for what "someone will give them" and looking to government as their answer for everything, I hope they can soon learn to acknowledge God.  

How much we can use someone who's "been there" to witness to the people about the truth of the Bible, and demonstrate to a country that sorely needs to humble themselves, how real redemption can be.

For him, his mother and his children, I truly hope he can be faithful to the end, this time.  (Click on this link or the one in the above paragraph to see the whole interview.)

As I paid our bills this week, I made of point of thanking God for his faithfulness.  I want to be humble and acknowledge that He is the source of all the goodness in our lives.  Just as a parent likes to be thanked when a child is given a good gift, He likes to hear us acknowledge his gifts to us.  It's a place I can start anyway...and I only hope that soon it will completely permeate my attitude and my home and family.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

A GREAT post Joni!
Blessings,
Aimee

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Loved your post on this :) I was really moved by his story!

Shirley said...

Very well said. I "accidentally" saw this segment on GMA and it was great! I, too, hope that he can continue to follow God even when he is in good times.

Laura said...

As I was reading your post, I was hearing an update on the story on the tv in the next room. I pray that he can keep on the path.
This was a wonderful post. Thank you so much for sharing, Joni. Your writing is a gift.

Laura

JulieF1962 said...

Amen.

Carmen S. said...

I had not heard about it so thank you for sharing, what a wonderful story! I can imagine that mother's heart is very happy today:)

Cher' Shots said...

Wonderful post! Your own faith shines through this post! Sometimes when one's at their lowest point - there's no place to look but up! Your pictures are gorgeous too. I loved this entry!!!!
'hugs from afar'

jamiely78 said...

I did not see the interview but heard about him. I love that he quoted scripture. The other day at the end of the Rose Bowl, the winning quarterback from TCU quoted scripture also. I love see it done on national Television.

Thanks for sharing!

Donna said...

I hope that his story of redemption continues to be positive! I heard that he has not supported his children financially and time will tell whether he will make amends now that he is employed.

I thank God each day that I wake up and open my eyes. I came within a fraction of losing my life before the age of 30. So every day thereafter has been like me living on borrowed time!

Tanya said...

Hi Joni,
I loved how you wrote this post as it is exactly how I felt. I got to work early and turned on the TV in my classroom to get ready for school. I was mesmerized by the interview. I felt so proud of that man and his mother to boldly and proudly proclaim Jesus Christ and God on national TV with no apologies for doing so. He has been deeply touched by our God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I am going to pray for him and his family as he goes forth and tries to live a Godly life. I was very affected by the interview that day and I'm so happy to read you were too. I'll bet we are not the only ones. Thank you for bringing to the blogworld. It reminds me of the scripture about whosoever confesses me before men I will confess before my Father in heaven.
Have a wonderful day!
Tanya

mary your sis said...

Wow! This was a story I hadn't heard about. Makes me think there is hope for a nephew who's going down the same path of destruction. How precious for his mom and children that he would humble himself and acknowledge his faults and failures and humbly apologize. Turning to God is the first step; making things right with those he's wronged will help to strengthen him in his desire to do what is right... And we all can learn from this to be so much more thankful!

Anonymous said...

What a great post, Joni! An inspiring post. I pray that he is truly repentant and transformed, too.