I saw something last Saturday that I will never forget. It impacted me on so many levels. There is a dear dear man who lives here in Ironton. He is a small, thin, aged man with grey-blond hair. He walks quick with a slight forward tilt of his shoulders. He wears glasses. He has a high-pitched voice that is unmistakable. He is a man who gets what life is all about. He is a man who is fully “spent” everyday. I can’t imagine him having one single regret.
His first name is Denny. I don’t know him well personally. I do know where to find him. He is always found with children who are hurting, outcast, poor, or lonely. He has worked at the school for years. Anytime there is a need, you will find Denny at the other end meeting it or rallying people to do so. Clothes, food, fire victims, special needs children, encouragement; he spends every moment of his days giving and loving.
Last Saturday we went to the city pool with some friends. I had heard the pool wouldn’t open this year. But when I saw that Denny was the pool manager, I wasn’t surprised. Of course he wouldn’t let the one place kids have to go in the summer close.
There were probably forty five or so kids there. Most of them were middle school and younger. Very few adults were there. It was a hot sunny day. Out walked Denny with sun block in hand and started spraying it on kids’ shoulders. They would turn a little and let him rub it in. He put block on five kids each swipe. He would call them out of the pool or just spray them without asking. Have you ever seen anyone (other than a family member) do that… impose on someone in that way? What kind of love is that? What kind of love? How may kids over the years have been saved from a horrible sunburn because Denny cares enough to get off his rear and go put it on them without them ever asking? He knows kids don’t think of that. He knows that their parents don’t either. But, he does.
I haven’t been able to get Denny out of my mind. He is such a humble man. He doesn’t seek any public attention. He simply fights for the ones who need it most. I think he and Jesus have a whole lot in common!
Several weeks ago on a Saturday evening, I was alone at the track and I saw a girl and two little boys walk up. As she got closer I recognized the young lady. I had her as a student a few years ago. She has been out of school for two years now. She is an incredibly smart girl, beautiful, and has her head on her shoulders. She explained that one of the boys was her ten year old little brother and the other was her two year old nephew (who was born to a girl in high school a couple years ago). I recognized his eyes. On one hand, I was proud of her for being out there on a Saturday night with those boys taking care of them rather than out partying. On the other, I was sad that she had to. She explained to me that she wants to join the police academy and knows that she can’t get caught hanging out with anyone who gets in trouble. She’s working full time at a gas station and taking one or two classes a semester.
She really does have so much going for her. She really can make a good life for herself. She could break the cycle that she has been raised in.
Then, I heard the ten year yell out a cuss word. She grabbed his arm. “I can say that,” he fought back. The two year old was paying close attention. The ten year old started throwing rocks as hard as he could. The two year old stood and did the same. I called the man-child named Dylan over. I told him that his cousin was watching and that the best thing he could ever do, would be to teach him to do good things. He looked at his cousin and said another cuss word. The baby laughed and repeated him. The lady, went over and yanked his arm and said, “You don’t talk like that.” Dylan said, “Yeah I do. My daddy tells me to.” She looked at me with a defeated look and said, “He does. All those guys teach these boys bad stuff.”
I quickly encouraged her and told Dylan how smart I think he really is and how I bet he could climb that jungle gym. We wrapped up our conversation and hugged.
I could feel the tears welling up as I got further away. Why? Then, it hit me. That is the story for SO MANY of our boys in this town. The men in their lives are being warriors in all the wrong ways. I asked God where He was. I felt so defeated about the future of our little town. Then, I realized that there are real warriors all around. It’s the men who love Jesus. You guys are doing more than you know. When you’re coaching sports and rubbing shoulders with those dads and kids. When you’re being the warriors of your household and being examples to your kids. God just spoke in my heart, “There is hope.” He loves the men of our town and He has men He’s calling to be leaders and make a difference.
Bryan said in his message several weeks ago, “The words mean so much coming from a man.” It’s true. I get to teach a slew of kids on Sunday mornings and high schoolers on Wednesday nights. I know those boys well. Many of them are craving male attention.
I look at those boys and students faces and see that they will be men in a few years. Will they be abusive alcoholics? Will they have kids by three different women by the time there 30? Will they be able to find a job? Will they be in trouble with the law? Is there hope for them? Yes. God has His Mighty hand all over their lives. He works through pain and poor decisions. He is calling men to fight for those boys.
Do you see it? This is our shot to really impact this our world for generations to come!!! And, I’m learning that it will have to come from some men stepping into their lives. Some of these guys don’t have a man who pays attention to them all week. And for the ones who do, it may have been better if they didn’t. Just to have a man show up and prove to them that they are worth your time for an hour or two would absolutely change their lives… FOREVER! Thus, changing their kids’ lives and so on.
Girls, let’s encourage the men in our lives to be real warriors. No nagging or harassing. Let’s pump em up and see the potential they have to fight for something that matters!
