April 26, 2022

Dear Grandchildren,

Today, I want to talk about being great. What does greatness really mean in a human being? Webster’s Dictionary defines Greatness as: The state or quality of being great. That definition really didn’t help me much, so here’s my thinking of being great.

To be great isn’t something you decide to achieve but happens as you live your life. It’s not your title but it can be. It’s not your position, but it can be. It’s not your family, but it can be. It’s not your company, but it can be.

Let me use a true story to explain what real greatness is. Jimmy Wayne is a very successful country singer and songwriter, but that’s not what makes him great. 

Jimmy Wayne never knew his father. His mom spent more time in prison than out. When he was twelve years old, she was released from jail and took up with a troublemaker. They loaded Jimmy into the backseat of an Olds Delta ’88, and for a year the car was his home. It had bench seats and smelled like body odor, remembers Jimmy. They drove from city to city, avoiding the police.

After miles of drifting, they dumped Jimmy in the parking lot of a Pensacola bus station and drove off. He was thirteen years old. He had no home, no future, no provision. One day, while wandering through the neighborhood, he spotted an older man working in his garage wood shop.

He approached the gentleman and asked him if he had any work. The carpenter sized up the boy, assessed him to be homeless, and gave him a chance. The man introduced himself as Russell. He called for his wife, Bea, to come to the garage. They showed Jimmy the lawn mower and how to operate it.

For several weeks, Jimmy cut the couple’s grass and survived on the twenty dollars they paid him each week. After some time, Bea asked Jimmy where he lived. At first he lied, afraid she wouldn’t let a homeless boy work for them. But finally she convinced him to tell her the truth. When he did, the couple took him in.

They gave him his own bedroom, bathroom, and a place at the dinner table. The home was like heaven to Jimmy. He took a hot bath and ate hot meals. He even sat with the family in the living room and watched television in the evening. Still, despite their kindness, Jimmy refused to unpack his bag. He’d been turned away so many times, he’d learned to be wary. For four days, his plastic bag sat on the floor, full of clothes, ready to be snatched up when Bea and Russell changed their minds.

He was in the house but not in the house. He was under the roof but not under the promise. He was with the family but didn’t behave like a family member.

Russell eventually convinced Jimmy to unpack and move in. It took several days, a dozen meals, and more than one heart-to-heart conversation. But Russell persuaded him to trust them to care for him.

Jimmy Wayne found a new season. He took his place in the family and went on to get an education. He found a new life to be great in. Jimmy shows us greatness in trusting Russell and Bea as he became a member of their family.

Russell and Bea showed greatness for opening up their home to Jimmy. I’m sure they didn’t do it to become great. It was just their nature to serve others, and Jimmy popped into their lives.

Greatness usually isn’t planned. It just happens when you’re living your life. Greatness is service above self. Greatness is seeing a need and meeting it. Greatness isn’t a decision you’re looking for, but it springs out of a life filled with a purpose to serve.

Russell persuaded Jimmy to trust them to care for him.

Our Father God is still working to convince us. Maybe you fear his impending rejection. Am I really in God’s family? What if God changes his mind?

Boyfriends change their minds. Employers fire employees. Coaches kick players off the team. Teachers expel students from school. Parents give birth to children and abandon them at bus stations. How do we know God won’t do the same?

God answered this question at the cross. When Jesus died, the heavenly vote was forever cast in your favor. He declared for all to hear, “This child is my child.”

Yes, Jimmy Wayne found a new life. He took his place in the family. His best days began when he unpacked his bags. Yours will too!

Always know how much I love you,

Grandpa

Featured Image by Kirsi Kataniemi from Pixabay