15 Minutes of Fame

Some say that every one will experience at least 15 minutes of fame in their life. Most seem to be always seeking or expecting fame because they think they deserve it, and when and if they receive it, they always think that it is well deserved. But most who seek it or think they deserve it will only experience a manufactured fame that most would not confirm. That’s why I think it is interesting when some one, like a homeless person, receives that fame, even for 15 minutes, and is shocked to receive that kind of recognition. Maybe that is the only way to receive fame is by not seeking or expecting it. Certainly most would not think that real fame would be experienced by a homeless person who has an addiction to alcohol and has spent his whole life fighting the urge to drown his sorrows in a bottle, but it can happen.

Homeless Danny called me the other day from Charlotte. He had just once again completed detox and was in a half way house. He said that he was calling to tell me about something that happened to him that he never expected. He is attending a church that sponsored a 5 mile walk for the homeless. The walkers were encouraged to solicit sponsors that would contribute to the homeless for every mile they walked. The top money raisers would be recognized at a banquet for their efforts. Danny told me that walking 5 miles is nothing for a homeless person because that is what they do all day. So he decided to enter and seek donations from members of his church. It turns out that Danny and another student received the highest donations. When he was told that he would need to give a speech when he received his award at the banquet, he was petrified. But then he decided tell everyone about Jesus since He was homeless too. He told them how God was working in his life and what it meant to be homeless all his life. Excitedly, he told me that when he finished reading his speech and looked up, everyone was standing on their feet giving him a “standing ovation”. He said he could not believe it. So Danny got his 15 minutes of fame unexpectedly. I told him I was so excited for his accomplishment. After I hung up the telephone I prayed that God would use this to show him that he is important and not just another alcoholic who would continue to fight his addiction for the rest of his life. Will you join me in this prayer?
~Marc