This is a follow-up to an article I wrote nearly a year ago. In it I stated, ”I expect good things to happen to me.”
Is everything good that happens to me? Does everyone treat me kindly? The obvious answer to both is “No” but the words from Psalms 23:6 KJV, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:” is apparent in my life.
When did I first notice that I was receiving special consideration? I believe that it was when I was a boy and a few people treated me special enough to make me realize there are a lot of good people in this world and that most of them want to treat others nice.
Who were these extraordinary people? The first one who comes to mind is my daddy. He always had time for me and was always there with good advice for me to live by. There were just too many instances to start naming them here.
Both of my grandfathers passed away ten years before I was born so my mother’s brothers, she had eight, filled those roles. These men treated me like I was important, each in his own unique way. Several took me to church and introduced me to Christian people. Others had me drive them to local bootleggers’ houses; Mississippi was a dry state at that time and you couldn’t buy liquor legally anywhere in the state.
The people I met in both places, church and at the bootlegger’s were principled people, respectful, friendly, outgoing, and all taught good ole Mississippi values. I never felt uncomfortable or threatened in either place because the adults protected children.
My list could go on to include relatives on both sides of the family and then to friends growing up. What can I say about friends?
When I was four years old, we moved into a government housing project that was chock-full of children. The war was over, soldiers were home, jobs were available, and the first wave of baby boomers was eager to explore the world on the other side of those screen doors. We were off and running. With hundreds of children to play with there was more than enough who became good friends, some I am still close with today after sixty, fifty, or forty years.
Thinking back, being a part of those who God allowed in my life molded me into the person I am today. I know my faults and I am working to correct some of them but if you want to be my friend, accept me as is and I will be yours for life.
My prayer today is that God send people into your life who help you feel great and that in turn you help others realize they too are important.
by Wayne Brady 3/23/2014
Wayne Brady Smiles 