The other evening my wife and I were out for dinner and a stroll. Lois found a dollar bill blowing down the sidewalk. She picked it up and put it in her pocket. After dinner we passed a young man on the sidewalk playing an acoustic guitar and singing enthusiastically. His guitar case was open in front of him. Lois handed me the dollar she had found and I emptied the change from my pocket and dropped the money into the open case. I smiled at him and we walked on, not stopping to really listen to his music.
As I walked away it occurred to me that what we did, giving him money as we strolled by, was a little like someone saying to me, “How much is your book?” then giving me the fifteen dollars and handing me the book back without commenting on it or even reading it.
Real artists and authors don’t mind money, I’m sure, but if they are like me they would rather know that what they created was appreciated or enjoyed by someone. The knowledge that what I wrote or said moved someone, motivated someone, changed someone, or encouraged someone is worth more to me than money. Maybe that’s how he felt, too. I made a mental note that a simple but powerful way to honor someone is to appreciate the things they create.
Ken Pierpont
Brook Place
Hinsdale, Illinois
July 17, 2007
Hey Dad
Good thought!! I was thinking along the same lines the other day when I gave a homeless guy money. I was wondering if he really knew that I was caring for him or if he thought I was just getting him out of my face. I wondered if he knew that the only reason I gave him one cent is because that I love Jesus and want to share his love.
Well whatever
lOVE YOU DAD
your book? tell me more…
Aren’t you glad Jesus keeps on waiting for us to come and learn from Him, and that he never takes a holiday and is open 24/7 for prayer.
Thanks for this reminder. It makes me think of my response when someone is talking to me-do I respect and love them and show it by really listening? Or am I just waiting for them to stop so that I can speak? I’m ashamed to even admit that. We have internet (slow kind) at home now but I can listen in again. God Bless you.
ouch… this is something i have to keep working on all the time. May God give me grace to learn to listen to people with my heart. Thanks for your comments and thoughts, all.
About the book. I have written a book that should be published soon. When I have it in hand I will be making a lot of noise about it.