SEEING OTHERS IN A NEW WAY

One of our recent authors we have been working with at FILMMAKERS ROUNDTABLE is a 71 years young blind individual,  who has more sight than people who see perfectly.  She represents faith and has overcome many obstacles in life when others would grow bitter and simply give up hope. When she lost her eyesight two decades ago, she had no idea that not long after her many surgeries, she would be holding a ten day old baby grand daughter and being asked to raise her.

Can you imagine your life if you could not see and now, you were tasked to raise an infant, but she did it and now this little girl is fourteen years old and is doing great. I asked her this week when we were meeting about her book being turned into a film, if it was hard and almost impossible to do. She said, "I wouldn't change a moment of this precious time and you have to learn to overcome".

What a story of how faith, perseverance and boldness this story exuded.  God used this visually impaired lady to stand in the gap for an infant in need.  It would have been so easy to say no.  Clearly, not being able to see would be every reason to deny the request. This beautiful woman had a different answer, an answer in giving. 

When I stop to think of how many times in our lives we have "too much going on", or are too busy and I realize how people who are much more physically challenged, are taking on huge tasks to give, this impacts my heart.  I ask myself, "What are you doing to help others and are you making a difference?"

Are you giving to help someone today?

Lord David Alton, from Liverpool England said to me in a film we made years ago, "It only takes one small stone to make a landslide happen. It's not that we are all big boulders, but just because we can't change everything, doesn't mean we are not suppose to do anything".  The words from the British House of Lords champion brought him to the forefront of the world's stage in human rights fighting against persecution of people in faith in far away lands.  David is a humble man, who stepped out in faith. 

Throughout my life, our team has worked with so many champions of causes. We have seen ordinary people used in extra-ordinary ways and in the end, we are so amazed. Whether we had the joy of talking to people who are helping at St. Jude's. These giants are helping children fight life threatening diseases.  Month's ago at Toby Keith's Children's home in downtown OKC where Shauna Smith was using her own 50th birthday party as a way to give.  She asked her friends to think of 50 items people they might donate instead of buying her a birthday present!  You cannot believe the thousands of dollars she raised.

Sunday night Laura Jones Watts from the Journal Record is going to the Public Broadcast System to answer phones for educational television from 5-10 pm. Sometimes, even a small time of volunteering can do great things. Don Kerby is working to help the Veterans group about the Viet Nam traveling wall and the list goes on and on.  Think about these amazing volunteers for good will and great causes!

When I toured the building Toby Keith began, I thought how a musician could be such a giving and philanthropic individual helping children in their last stages of life, to bring a smile. In these types of miracles, they all begin with giving. So here is the question for all of us, are we "giving" to help others?

This past week, another amazing "giver" was honored and it was my pastor Craig Groeschel and his wife Amy whoreceived a HEROES AWARD for their work in helping with adoptive children and foster care in Oklahoma.  They not only have time to pastor one of the largest congregations in the nation, they are taking time to help in the cause of adoption.  These are two of the busiest people on the planet, but they stop to give.

No matter what the reasons are for NOT being involved, don't live your life about just you. Take time to give back and do something about it.  It is going to cost you, and it may cost you more than you realize.  Maybe you will have to sell your home, maybe you will have to adjust your lifestyle, maybe you will have to live differently.  I believe it can be so worth the sacrifice.

So this rainy morning in August, I am encouraging you to "see the world" differently. Take the advice of a beautiful visually impaired seventy one years young author. Hear the most encouraging words as she continues to "give" to others. See the world through a different lens than your own and maybe, just maybe...you will see for the first time, a whole new world of hope.

I love you,

Coach KMAC