Read And Heed Or Else!

Doesn’t that sound like “Bully Talk?” We hear a lot today of bullying in school. And it really hits a sensitive spot in my heart with me because in high school I was the one being bullied. It is true that being the object of practical jokes, stupid questions, and being used to make others seem more popular with the girls or boys can do much to destroy the self-esteem of a teenager. In the following story of Kyle, I remember seeing myself in the person of Kyle because the same things happened to me.

My friend, James, sends me emails of jokes, illustrations, politics, and some great stuff! Thank you, James. Today I want to share with you a great story and some great stuff.

“One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, ‘Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.’ I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends Saturday afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him… He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, ‘Those guys are jerks.’ They really should get lives. ’

“He looked at me and said, ‘Hey thanks!’ There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

“Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, ‘Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!’ He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak.

“Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

“I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, ‘Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!’ He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled…. ‘Thanks,’ he said.

“As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began … ‘Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach…but mostly your friends…. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.’

“I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn’t have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. ‘Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.’

“I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and Dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it’s depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions.”

The lesson from this story is whether teenager or adult, anyone can be a “Kyle.”

Dear readers, with one small gesture you can change a person’s life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other’s lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

Do you know the #1 cause of deaths among teenagers? Suicide….. We all know or knew someone like Kyle. There are many “Kyles” in our schools today. Even in our “adult world,” there are many “Kyles.” Adults can be targets of social bullying also.

Dear readers, there is no beginning or end. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. What you do with it is your gift to God.

Yoo-Hoo!

The other day I saw these two Buffalo women at the Buffalo pond. One of the women was out for a walk when she came upon the Buffalo pond. She comes to the pond and sees another Buffalo woman on the opposite bank.

“Yoo-hoo!” she shouts, “How can I get to the other side?”

The second lady looks up the pond then down the pond and shouts back, “You are on the other side.”

Worse Than Evil Incarnate?

One bright, beautiful Sunday morning, everyone in the tiny town of Buffalo got up early and went to the local church. Before the services started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking about their lives, their families, etc.

Suddenly, the Devil himself appeared at the front of the congregation. Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate.

Soon everyone was evacuated from the Church, except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew, not moving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God’s ultimate enemy was in his presence. Now this confused Satan a bit, so he walked up to the man and said, “Don’t you know who I am?”

The man replied, “Yep, sure do.”

Satan asked, “Aren’t you afraid of me?”

“Nope, sure ain’t,” said the man.

Satan was a little perturbed at this and queried, “Why aren’t you afraid of me?”

The man calmly replied, “Been married to your sister for over 48 years.”

Holding Down Two Jobs

In one small town the sheriff was also the veterinarian.

One night an agitated citizen phoned him: “We need you right away!”

“Do you need me as the sheriff or the vet?”

“Both! We can’t get our dog’s mouth open, and there’s a burglar in it!”

Birthdays

Celebrating birthdays this week are Paul Phillips on Friday, January 25; Jasper Shropshire on Saturday, January 26; Tim Davis on Sunday, January 27; Edna Jenkins, Vic Elliott, Allison Booker, and Aaron Booker on Wednesday, January 30.

I hope that these wonderful people will have the BEST BIRTHDAY YET!!!

Happy Anniversary

to Thomas and Tootie Boulware as they celebrate their wedding anniversary on Tuesday, January 28. May our Father God richly bless you both as you celebrate your love for each other.

Tournament of Roses congratulations go to Robert and Peggy Queen as they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary last Sunday, January 20. This is a marriage that was made in heaven, for sure! Are there any other Tournament of Roses Winners out there?

Prayer Concerns

I know that there are many people needing our prayers. I am aware that Connie Burgess is combating cancer. There will be a benefit at the field across from the pond on Saturday, January 26 from noon to 4 p.m., I think.

My neighbor Don Moore is still recuperating from his health issues. There is no place like home to recuperate. And isn’t it a blessing to have a wife who really takes care of her man?

Let’s pray for our country and our economic future.

Let’s also pray for some more cold weather to kill the ants, bugs, gnats, and mosquitoes. We can also use a good dousing of snow, right?

My Thoughts

Isn’t old age grand? I am “elderly” enough that when I cannot remember people’s names, I just say “brother/sister” instead of their name. Sometimes people will open the store door for me thinking that I may not be strong enough to do it myself.

As my eyesight diminishes I tell my wife to understand when I have to read “Body Braille” on a female friend. She told me that if I did, I would next see the “Pearly Gates.” Oh well, nice try.

I even have a Senility Prayer that is good every day.

The Senility Prayer: May God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Thought Of The Week

“Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.”

If You Have Good News

Email me at cap9296@aol.com, call me at 864-424-9211, mail me at POB 128, Buffalo. Until next week, may God bless you richly. Until next week, may God bless you richly.