I love elephants!! They’re proof that God has a sense of humor; they have cankles, their nose and ears never stop growing, and the bones in their feet are perfectly shaped for high heels. So, it’s no wonder they sway back and forth when they’re standing…their feet hurt!! 🤣😂 So, when I saw this image by Sara Gagnon, it reminded me of one of my favorite stories. But not just because it has an elephant, but because of what he’s doing…
Frank Sinatra was, without a doubt, a powerhouse. Even at 78 years old, fans still came in droves to see him! Tom Dreesen was a comedian who was Frank’s warm-up act for many years. He recalled one particular show when there were about 20,000 people in the audience. Sinatra was 3 songs into his set when he completely forgot the lyrics he was singing. He kept repeating, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” but the band didn’t know he stopped singing. So they kept playing. When the band finally realized he stopped, they began stopping, instrument by instrument, until there was a deafening silence in the auditorium. At that point, Dreesen thought Sinatra would lay his microphone down and go home to recognize the end of an incredible career.
But then something happened.
“A guy way up at the top of the audience stood up by himself and hollered out, ‘That’s ok Frank! That’s all right because we love you!’
Then he started to applaud.
Then the guy next to him started to applaud.
Then hundreds of people started to applaud.
Then thousands.
Pretty soon the whole arena was cheering and yelling! Sinatra turned around and went back to center stage.” Dreesen continued, “he went into the next number which was ‘Mack the Knife’ and he absolutely drilled that song. He hit every nuance and every lyric. It was like he was 19 years old again…After he finished that song the crowd went nuts! He was ready to go onto the next number when he finally quieted them down. Then he stopped and pointed up to the guy and said, ‘I love you too, Pal.’ He sang for two years after that. That fan brought him from the ashes that night.”
This sweet story shows that no one is above a hand on the shoulder, a friendly smile, or a word of encouragement. I was blessed to perform with Frank and have so much respect for him as an entertainer. In the end, despite all the success Sinatra saw, it came down to one lone fan in the audience who allowed him to finish his career on his own terms. What an incredible blessing.
This story made me want to be that fan.
Sometimes, we have to step out of the crowd and cheer someone on. Give the encouragement or praise needed for someone else to live their best life. The Lord is always with us, fighting our battles, hand in hand. But sometimes, he sends you and me in his place to help those in need. I believe that when you feel impressed to offer a kind word to a friend, family member, or even a complete stranger, it is our Heavenly Father sending us to them. Mark Twain remarked that he “could live two months on a good compliment”! In the words of the biblical proverbs of Solomon: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Prov. 25:11.)
Just as I was getting ready to send my #Sundaymessage a sweet friend of mine sent this to me “I believe people who consistently choose to do simple acts of love and compassion toward their fellow man can bring forth extraordinary results that can change both the life of the giver and that of the receiver.” She felt prompted to send it to me. I guess she’s listening to the angels around her.🥰 Coincidence? I don’t think so.😉
Having a voice of gladness, especially in today’s world, is needed by everyone. Through the precious gift of offering kind words to others, our hearts naturally soften too. And, as our hearts soften, we become closer to the Lord. Think of all the good that you could do by cheering someone on…a lone fan in the crowd. In doing so, your own life will be blessed.
My love to you all.
#Sundaymessge
Here are the next few weeks of the reading schedule I am following for those that have joined me:
January 23–29: Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3.
January 30-February 5: Matthew 4; Luke 4-5
February 6-12: John 2-4
February 13-19: Matthew 5; Luke 6