Ted Williams – A Miracle or Preparation?

This video has been shown millions of times in the past few days … a homeless man shows a reporter what a great voice he has.

Since this first hit the internet, it’s turned into a modern-day miracle … Ted now has been given a house, a few job offers and media exposure from internet to radio to TV.

The intriguing thing in this story for me is the connection between what Ted did and what many of us did at New Years. We resolved to make changes in our lives and/or take steps in a certain direction (maybe to follow a dream) without knowing what the future holds. Will we stay resolved if nothing happens right away? Will we keep on, keeping on?

Two and a half years ago, before anyone of us every heard his voice, Ted resolved to make changes. Then he made a choice everyday … probably a myriad of small and large choices multiple times a day …  that enabled this day to happen.

Ted had trained and worked in radio in his twenties, but then drugs and alcohol took over his life. He’s been homeless for over a decade. But then in 2008, something (I’d love to hear more of his story and find out what that thing was) caused him to work on making changes in his life.

Because of his preparation … because he consistently made hard choices, he is ready for the opportunities coming his way.

Ted yesterday …….. Ted today

Ted thanks God for all that is happening. I think both God and Ted deserve credit. Ted didn’t sit by and wait to be rescued. Or for his addiction to miraculous or magically go away. He didn’t wait to win a mega-lottery. (though he might have played the other night like many of us did:)

He did what he could, with what he had, where he was.

Along with making the choice to change his life and become sober, he used his great voice to entertain drivers as he panhandled. He said Good Morning in a way that only he could. He smiled. He polished his delivery. He worked it!

He did what he could, with what he had, where he was.

The reporter came.

Now the opportunities are pouring in.

And he is ready!

What are you quietly and faithfully doing in your world? Are you doing what you can, with what you have, where you are so you’ll be ready for your opportunity when it comes?

(Disclaimer: This post is not saying that homeless or unemployed people don’t need our help or that they should just pick themselves up by their bootstraps and solve their own problems. I think we need to help others in whatever way we can and/or feel called to. If this comes across sounding that way or sounds rude, please let me know.)

.