a lesson 25 years in the making...

In 1985, I was 12 years old. I didn’t know much about things that went on in the world outside of Knoxville, Tennessee. That year a song came out that changed my life. The song was called “We Are the World”. I remember all the publicity surrounding the song and the message for which it stood. What I remember the most, though, is that I loved the song not for its message or for the cause it was supporting, but for the all-star line-up of singers who were involved in it. At that point in my life, music was very important to me (still is today!). To have a song that combined the talents of some of my favorite singers like: Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, Tina Turner, Steve Perry, Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and yes…even Michael Jackson, was almost unfathomable to me. I LOVED that song….I had it on a 45 record and even had a t-shirt (which I STILL have around here somewhere). The song has always been special to me, even though I didn’t hear it for several years.
Now, 25 years later…..the song has become even more special to me than it was back then. The reason is somewhat ironic. The thing I didn’t really understand back then was the point of the song: there are people in the world (especially Africa) that are far less fortunate than most. They are poor, they are hungry, they are sick, and they are dying. That’s what “We Are the World” was about….it’s up to us to do something about it. Now as a man of 37 years old, I FINALLY get it. I recently felt the need to sponsor a child in Africa. I wanted to do something to make a difference in the life of a child who really needed it. As a result, I have spent a good portion of the past 2 weeks learning about the place where this precious little boy lives. Some of the things I have learned have rocked me to my very core. It is safe to say that a difference has already been made in MY life because of him. I have spent a lot of time researching the organization through which I sponsor this little boy. I have spent hours on their website and their Facebook page reading stories about children and families who are in dire need and the people who are helping to make a difference in their lives. I cannot begin to describe the feeling in my heart these past couple of weeks, it has been nothing short of amazing. You see, it IS up to us. It’s up to us to do whatever we can to help these people. I honestly believe it’s what life is all about….making a difference in someone else’s life. I am thankful for what God has placed in my heart these past two weeks and pray that I will always be willing to do what I can to help those in need. It’s my duty. It’s my honor. It’s my privilege. It’s my responsibility. It’s OUR responsibility. Why? Because we ARE the world!

(A couple of months ago, they did a re-make of “We Are the World” to help people who were affected by a devastating earthquake in Haiti. They did a great job, but nothing will ever touch the power of the original in my mind. Here are the amazing lyrics sung by the amazing stars who made it a reality.)



"We are all a part of God's great big family.......there's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives. It's true we make a better day, just YOU and ME!"

If you would like to learn how you can make a difference by sponsoring a child in need, please visit World Vision International: http://www.worldvision.org

send out your ray of sunshine...

One of my favorite songs at the moment...

"The Sunshine Song"

Well sometimes the sun shines
On other people's houses and not mine
Some days the clouds paint the sky all gray
And it takes away my summertime
Somehow the sun keeps shining upon you
While I struggle to get mine
If there’s a light in everybody
Send out your ray of sunshine

I wanna walk the same roads
As everybody else
Through the trees and past the gates
Getting high on heavenly breezes
Making new friends along the way
I won’t ask much of nobody
I’m just here to sing along
To make my mistakes look gracious
And learn some lessons from my wrongs

Sometimes the sun shines
On other peoples houses and not mine
Some days the clouds paint the sky all gray
And it takes away my summertime
Somehow the sun keeps shining upon you
While I struggle to get mine
A little light never hurt nobody
Send out your ray of sunshine

Oh if this little light of mine
Combined with yours today
How many watts could we luminate?
How many villages could we save?
My umbrellas tired of the weather
Wearing me down
Well look at me now

You sure look as good as your outlook
Would you mind if I took some time
To soak up your light, your beautiful light
You’ve got a paradise inside
I get hungry for love and thirsty for life
And much too full on the pain
When I look to the sky to help me
And sometimes it looks like rain

As the sun shines
On other peoples houses and not mine
And the sky paints its clouds
In a way that it takes away the summertime
Somehow the sun keeps shining upon you
While I kindly stand by
If there’s a light in everybody
Send out your ray of sunshine

You’re undeniably warm
You’re cerulean
You’re perfect in design
Won’t you hang around?
So the sun, it can shine on me
And the clouds, they can roll away
And the sky, can become our possibility
If there’s a light in everybody
Send out your ray of sunshine

~ Jason Mraz

proud to be a "Friend of Literacy"

Last night, I went to a speaking engagement and book signing by one of my all-time favorite authors, David Baldacci. The event was a fundraiser for "Friends of Literacy", a local non-profit organization that is seeking to eradicate adult illiteracy in Knox County. The goal of Friends of Literacy is " to provide funding and volunteers that support basic education and life-skill training to adult students, helping them to become better workers, parents and citizens". When I decided to attend the event, my main motivation was just to see David Baldacci speak and possibly get a book signed. I knew it was a benefit for "Friends of Literacy", but I didn't really know anything about the organization. At the beginning of the event, they played a video about "Friends of Literacy" and the work that they do. It was definitely an eye-opening thing to see. Here are some statistics on illiteracy in the United States:

- 42 million American adults can't read at all; 50 million are unable to read at a level higher than is expected of a fourth or fifth grader.
- The number of American adults that are classified as functionally illiterate increases by about 2.25 million each year.
- 20 percent of high school seniors can be classified as functionally illiterate at the time they graduate.

(Source: National Right to Read Foundation, 2007)

Reading these statistics made me think about something that I (and many of you) take for granted everyday....our basic ability to read. Imagine what your life would be like if you couldn't read the newspaper in the morning, read directions on a map, read the names on street or business signs. What if you couldn't read the directions on your prescription bottle or the warnings of possible side effects or drug interactions? How would you feel if you couldn't read the ingredients of your favorite recipes or read a letter written to you by someone you love? What if you went out to eat and couldn't read the choices on the menu, or couldn't get a job because you couldn't read the questions on the employment application? There are so many things that we read every single day without thinking or stopping to think about those who don't have the ability to do so. Without the ability to read, think about all the Facebook posts and tweets on Twitter you would have to miss....you wouldn't even be able to enjoy this blog! And...don't even get me started about all the adventures you would miss out on by not being able to read one of the greatest treasures found in this world...BOOKS!
As I said earlier, this event was a real eye-opener for me. It made me stop and realize how thankful I am for the ability to read and how I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on the joys it can bring. Now I can say that I am a supporter of " Friends of Literacy" and the wonderful work they do. I hope you will stop and consider how thankful you are for your ability to read and remember those who taught you to do so.

a little perspective from another continent

I have always had a very special place in my heart for children. I believe that one of the most special and important things we can do in this world is to make a difference in the life of a child. Recently, I began to think about sponsoring a child in another part of the world. My sister has sponsored children through World Vision International for several years. Last weekend, I visited the World Vision website and decided it was time to make a commitment to do my part to make a difference in the life of a child who really needed it. As you may have read in an earlier blog post, I ended up sponsoring a little boy from Zimbabwe named Leon . Last night I received the World Vision welcome kit in the mail. It contained pictures of Leon, a booklet explaining the details of sponsoring a child, a DVD with some enlightening information and images, and a brochure that listed some information about Zimbabwe, Leon's home country. As I began to read through the brochure about Zimbabwe, there were a couple of things that jumped off the page and hit me like a smack across the face. The first thing is that the Average Annual Income in Zimbabwe is $340.00. Yes, I said ANNUAL income. $340.00 for the entire year! Most of us are blessed and fortunate enough to make more than that in a WEEK! That is almost inconceivable to me. The second thing that hit me is that the Life Expectancy in Zimbabwe is...39.5 years. When I stop to think that I just turned 37.......I can't even begin to tell you how this makes me feel.
So, it appears that this sponsoring of a child in need is going to be more than just deducting $35.00 from my checkbook register each month. I have really been thinking today about what I read in that brochure about Zimbabwe. I have been feeling quite gulity about all the many blessings that I take for granted on a daily basis. I have MUCH more than I deserve and sometimes I wonder why I do when there are so many good, decent, innocent people in the world who don't even have access to the basic necessities of life. I complain about having to leave my nice, comfortable bed in the morning when there are people in the world who have nothing but a dirt floor for a bed. I complain about having to work a job for eight hours a day (in an air conditioned building) when there are people who work hard labor in the blazing sun from dawn to dusk and still can't provide for themselves or their families. I complain about gaining weight because I have too much to eat when there are people (including small, innocent children) who sometimes go for days without having a bite to eat. It's through nothing I have done that I am as fortunate as I am, merely the grace of God. I pray that God will shower His grace on all of those in the world who are so much less fortunate than I and my family and friends. I hope these words have helped you gain a little perspective and think about all the blessings that you take for granted. Please help me pray that God will give each of us the desire to do something to make a difference in the lives of those that are less fortunate than us.

a chicken biscuit and a smile named Judy

I usually have no trouble getting up in the morning. As a matter of fact, I sometimes wake up a few minutes before the alarm goes off. Today was not one of those days. Today is Monday and I could tell it from the minute I heard the alarm screaming that it was to time to leave Dreamland behind and get up to face the world. The first thing I noticed as I stood up from the bed was that my head felt like I had ran face-first into a cinderblock wall. These allergies are getting on my last good nerve this year...but I digress. After finishing my morning routine and hitting the road for my daily trek to Farragut, I was in an increasingly bad mood. I had to stop and get gas...always a pleasant thing on a Monday morning. After waiting for my turn at the pump, I got back on the road and traffic was flowing in such a way that made me wonder if they've started giving out Driver Licenses as prizes in Cracker Jacks. I headed down Kingston Pike getting more and more agitated by the second.
As I was about halfway to work, I realized that I had a few minutes to spare, so I decided to take a chance and get in the mile-long drive-thru line at Chick-Fil-A. Fortunately, the line was moving pretty quickly. As I approached the speaker and rolled down my window, I was met by one of the most unique voices I have ever heard. The voice said: "Good morning and welcome to Chick-Fil-A...my name is Judy, how may I help you?" Now, this voice was loud and booming with one of the thickest country accents I have ever heard, but had the most genuinely warm, friendly, polite tone that I couldn't help but smile upon hearing it. I gave her my order to which she replied with my total and a big "thank you....we'll see ya at the window." Again, I could feel a little smile form across my lips. I pulled around to the window and was greeted by a pleasant young man with a smile on his face as well. Behind him I could see the source of the big, loud, booming, country voice that had managed to bring a smile to my face at the speaker. It was coming from a slight, tiny little woman who couldn't have been more than four feet tall. I could hear that she was taking someone else's breakfast order as this young man completed mine. He reached out the window for my payment and said "Good morning, how are you today?" I replied, "I'm good, thanks, how are you?" A huge grin came across the young man's face as he said "I'm doing great! I get to work with Judy today!" He handed me my chicken biscuit and sweet tea and thanked me. I thanked him as well and took one last glance inside at the little woman who obviously has a big effect on many people. I wonder if she realizes that she has that effect on people, because today my terrible Monday morning made a 360 degree turn because of a sweet little lady with a big voice. Thank you, Chick-Fil-A, for starting my day with a delicious chicken biscuit and a smile named Judy! :-)

a little boy named Leon

For a while I have been thinking about sponsoring a child in need from another part of the world. My sister has sponsored children through World Vision International for several years. I've thought about it now and then but never taken the time to actually do it. Tonight, I took the time. I went to the World Vision International website and started flipping through the photos of children from all across the world who are in need. It was actually quite a humbling experience to see all those helpless little faces who have never known anything but a life of need. I felt quite guilty for all the many blessings I take for granted on a daily basis. As I was flipping through the photos (wishing I could afford to sponsor ALL of them) I came across a photo of an adorable little boy named Leon. As I read through Leon's information, my heart was touched to realize that he has things in common with my three favorite kids in the world: James, Austin, and Adreana. Leon was born on November 7 (same as James) in 2003 (same as Adreana) and his favorite activity is singing (something that James, Austin, and Adreana ALL enjoy). Leon lives in Zimbabwe with his grandmother and two brothers. His grandmother struggles to provide for them and they live in a very poor community that is greatly affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I am so thankful for the opportunity to do something (as small as it may be) to hopefully make a difference in the lives of this little boy and his family so very far away. May God bless all of you and especially a little boy named Leon.

page 220 in the "Red Book"

As a child and teenager growing up and attending a small Baptist church in East Tennessee, I became quite familiar with many of the treasured old hymns of the "Church Hymnal" (commonly and affectionately referred to as the "Red Book"). One of those hymns that I thoroughly loved to hear and sing was on page 220: "The Love of God". One day, I was looking down at page 220 while the congregation was singing this beloved hymn. I'm not sure why I was looking at the page (or even holding the book, for that matter) because I had known most of these hymns by heart since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. As I looked to the bottom of page 220, I noticed the following words in small print below the lyrics and music of the song:

"The last stanza of this song was pencilled on the wall of a narrow room of an asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered after his death."

I remember the first time I read those words. It was as if something clicked inside of me and made me realize just how special and amazing it was that such beautiful and truthful words were found in such a place! I have always known the love of God, now more so than ever. There are those who are not so fortunate. There are those who choose not to believe in such an unconditional love. There are those who know full well, have experienced it first-hand and have chosen to turn their backs on it. There are those who have never had the opportunity to be told of such an amazing love. And, there are those that we assume have no idea of God's love because we think they are incapable of understanding such a thing. The words that were found on the wall of that insane asylum show me otherwise. There is no one that God's love cannot touch. It is the most powerful and amazing thing ever, and yet it is so simple that even a little child can understand it. It is so encompassing that even one whom the world declares "demented" can obviously experience its magnitude. For those of you who don't know the words that were written on that insane asylum wall, here they are:

"Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade...To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky."

How wonderful to know this amazing Love of God!

Welcome!

Welcome to Reflective Ramblings! The purpose of this blog is to do just as the name implies: ramble about my reflections and thoughts on a wide variety of subjects. I hope you will find encouragement (or at the very least a smile) from some of the things I share. I hope you enjoy!