The way I see it, we should strive daily to be HUMBLE and HELPFUL people within our society.
History will show that many mighty men and women, have been literally brought to their knees.
There are many RAGS to RICHES stories but there are also quite a number of RICHES to RAGS stories as well.
Just this week, it was drawn to my attention that a gentleman who we commonly referred to as ‘JOHN KELLY,’ (don’t know his real name), had passed on to the great beyond.
He had passed on without much fanfare and had I known, I would have made it my business to attend that funeral service.
Most people may remember JOHN KELLY, as an indioviual who was referred to as having mental issues, in his latter life, but I remember more than that.
As a little boy attending the New River Primary school (Zion Primary school), I remember admiring this dashing young man. I think he had returned from the Virgin Islands or somewhere and he drove a fancy car; he wore expensive clothes. He was impressive.
He was the don.
Well I newa!
I vaguely remember his grand wedding. The wedding procession went through the nearby villages, with horns blaring and the handsome bridegroom and his beautiful bride, were the talk of the town.
John also owned a big house at the bottom of Zion.
He was the man.
Whatever transpired in his later years, I really don’t know.
However, history will record that JOHN lost home, wife and the good life and became a person who was regarded as mentally challenged.
I can still vividly recall him referring to me as ‘Teacher Mildred.’ I assume he had some respect for my late mother and former outstanding educator, Mildred Morton.
However, fast forward to another twist in the story.
JOHN KELLY was hospitalized for a long period and I had the privilege of visiting him, while he was on his sick bed.
He was very receptive to hearing the word of God, as presented by my group; enjoyed the songs of praise and prayed with us.
By God’s grace, it is quite possible that JOHN Kelly will make it to heaven and that is why one writer said that ‘there will be many surprises in heaven and many of us who think that we will get there, will never even get close—UNLESS WE MEND OUR WAYS!
What are some of the causes why some people falter in life? ‘Blame it on drug abuse, chronic illness, poor financial planning, or just bad luck,’ says one writer.
I did a quick research on some of the ‘rich and famous,’ who virtually lost their way:
“Once Lois Lane in the Superman movies, Margot Kidder was found wandering the streets after a long battle with mental illness
Kidder, the actress who played Superman’s love interest Lois Lane in the Christopher Reeve-era films, was once a Hollywood star who dated “bigs like Richard Pryor and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.”
According to Daily Finance, Kidder battled schizophrenia and manic depression and even refused treatment at one time. “[P]lagued by paranoia, [Kidder] slept in cardboard boxes and backyards around Los Angeles in 1996. With her front teeth missing and her hair hacked off, a disheveled Kidder announced to the Glendale, Calif., woman whose yard she occupied, ‘I may not look like it, but I’m Margot Kidder.'”
“Sugar Ray” Williams, once an NBA superstar, was found sleeping out of his Buick in 2010
In the late-1970s through the mid-1980s, Williams was captain of the New York Knicks and played for the Boston Celtics’ 1985 NBA Finals team.
But in 2010, The Boston Globe reported that he was sleeping in the backseat of his 1992 Buick in Pompano Beach, Florida. In an interview with Bob Hohler at the Globe, Williams said that the NBA should take better care of their retired players, as he is only one of many former stars in need of assistance.
Iran “The Blade” Barkley amassed $5 million from his boxing career before ending up homeless
In 2010, the New York Post reported that the former boxing champion was sleeping in a Howard Johnson Express in the Bronx.
Houston McTear, a two-time Olympic qualifier, slept on Santa Monica Beach for three years
At one time, McTear was dubbed “the world’s fastest human” and tied the world record, running a 100-yard dash in 9.0 seconds while still in high school.
Child star Danny Bonaduce suffered from alcohol and drug addictions before becoming homeless as an adult
The ’70s smash hit The Partridge Family made Bonaduce a household name. But the actor later became known for his stints in rehab, which eventually led to his experience with homelessness as an adult.
Two-time world boxing champion Rocky Lockridge has been living on the streets for a decade
In the 1970s and ’80s, Lockridge was a world boxing champion, but lost it all when he started losing his winning stride.
According to an interview with Todd Schmerler at The Star-Ledger, Lockridge admitted to having a 20-year drug addiction and said that after each fight, he would party for “two weekends,” snorting cocaine and drinking “whatever was around.”
He’s been living on the streets of Camden, N.J. for 10 years. Schmerler writes:
‘Lockridge has no money. His body tilts to one side when he walks, the result of a stroke he says he suffered three years ago. His scraggly, graying beard makes him seem far older than 50.’”
God actually promotes HUMILITY.
Let us look at these scripture verses:
“Colossians 3:12
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Ephesians 4:2
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
1 Peter 5:5
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.””
And I will end with this one:
“Proverbs 11:2
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 6:16-19 King James Version (KJV)
16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
So whenever we see someone who is not doing too well in life, we should strive really hard to help them as much as we can, because we may never know our lot.
Whenever we see one such precious soul, we can say: ‘There but for the grace of God, goes I…..’
That’s the way I see it. How do you see it?