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My Hero, The Hope Dealer

Last night, Laura and I had the honor of attending the first Inner City Innovators Gala to celebrate the young men who this amazing organization helps. It was also a time to celebrate one of my heroes Mr. Ricky Aiken. Let me tell you about my hero.

I met Ricky when he was about 14 or 15 years old. I was volunteering with a great organization Urban Youth Impact at the time. Ricky and I just hit it off. I think it was our mutual love for books and sports. You know God is real when he brings a Boston Celtics fan and a LA Lakers fan together. As happens in life, we lost contact for a brief period. When Ricky turned 18 we reconnected around his birthday. My wife had heard about Ricky and wanted to celebrate his birthday. Oh, did we celebrate. My wife had a blast taking Ricky shopping. I think Ricky might have been a little overwhelmed by Laura’s enthusiasm, but he indulged her. That day Ricky became Laura’s son. It is a relationship that has continued to grow throughout the years. Laura still loves celebrating Ricky’s birthday.

Back in 2015, one of Ricky’s friends was shot and killed. For Ricky that was the last straw. He could no longer sit around and watch his community be destroyed by gun violence. That is when Inner City Innovators was born. Ricky has become a leader in his community. A leader in his city. And I believe in time, a national leader. This from a young man labeled emotionally disabled by the educational system. How I wish the person who made that incorrect diagnosis could see Ricky now. To see the Man he has become. The Leader he has become. The Hope Dealer he has become.

I could go on and on about my godson and the man he has become. Laura and I are so proud of him. Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves when we see all that Ricky has accomplished in life. We are thankful God has blessed us with a front row sit. I pray that one day, Ricky will write a book and share his amazing story with the world. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to check out Inner City Innovators at http://www.innercityinnovators.org.

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A Question For Us

Today’s a new day! Jesus left all his comfort and privilege to enter into our broken world. Are we willing to do the same? ~OC

For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.” ~Matthew 25:35-40

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God’s Presence

Dear God, thank you for your presence during my crazy beautiful health journey. You have walked with me each step of the way. You have blessed me with your guidance and strength. You have never left or forsaken me.

As I wrote the words above, I thought about my family and friends walking through their own journey. Dear God, I pray you would remind them that even during the darkest moments, you are with them. That you are gracious and good, and that no detail escapes your control. Dear God, give them the strength to seek you during the darkest days. Give them the strength to pray when the storm seems overwhelming. Give them the strength to praise You during the storm. Give them the strength to celebrate You during the victories.

Dear God, I know you see my family and friends that are hurting. I pray you would remind them that you’ve not forgotten them. I pray they would feel your presence. Thank you. ~OC

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A Prayer For Friends

Dear God, thank you for my friends. I am grateful for each of them. I pray you would watch over them this day. You know the storms they are facing. I pray you would wrap your loving arms around them like a warm blanket. Help me be a blessing to them as they walk through the storm. Help me take the focus off myself and be available to them. Dear God, help me be the friend you have called me to be. Amen. ~OC

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Power of Prayer

As I continue to walk through this crazy beautiful health journey, I depend more and more on prayer. Before I got sick years ago, sometimes when I felt God calling me to pray I would ignore that calling. I was too busy with life. I can always pray later I thought. I cringe as I write these words. How many amazing beautiful interruptions did I miss because I was too busy to pray?

Today, my life is full of prayer. Even as I write this blog, God is bringing people to mind that I need to pray for. So, I stop writing and pray for those individuals. I don’t write this to brag. No, I write this to remind myself of the importance of prayer. My life literally depends on the prayers of many. I want to encourage everyone to live in a spirit of prayer. A spirit of prayer? What does that even mean OC? I am glad you asked.

For me, living in a spirit of prayer means I am always open to hearing from God and following through with what He asked of me. That means praying for that friend when God brings them to mind. Not waiting until it fits my schedule. That means not telling someone I will be praying for them, but actually taking the time to pray for them that very moment. Living in a spirit of prayer means stepping out of my comfort zone. Being Present. Being Obedient. I am far from being a biblical scholar, but that is my personal definition of living in a spirit of prayer. Remember, I am just a simple man.

During my 17-year crazy beautiful health journey, God has taught me to always be in a spirit of prayer because my prayers carry weight. Not because of my power, but because of His power. You have the same power. Really, you do! Every time we pray we unleash the power of heaven.

Prayer is not a passive act. No, prayer is powerful and active. When I pray, I feel God’s power flowing through my body. Prayer is life changing.

I will leave you with the word P.U.S.H.

P-ray

U-ntil

S-omerhing

H-appens

I pray you will choose to live in a spirit of prayer. I pray you will pray with boldness. I pray you embrace the power of prayer. ~OC

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Thank You 4 South Heroes

As I sit here in the quietness of my house, I realize it has been almost 4 months since my last hospital visit. That’s a pretty big deal, when you have spent as much time as I have in the hospital the past 17 years. The staff on 4 South at Good Samaritan Medical Center have become family over the years. They have blessed Laura and I so many times the past 17 years. Here are just a few examples of going above and beyond the call of duty.

 

A Recliner. Some of you might not beware I can no longer sleep in a bed. With my Parkinson’s and other health issues, a bed is extremely uncomfortable. At home I sleep in a recliner. I have done this for years. During my hospital stays, the staff on 4 South always makes sure I have a recliner in my room. They could easily just say, Todd you need to sleep in the hospital bed. But they don’t. I have seen them walk all over the hospital to find me a recliner. To help make me feel as comfortable as possible.

Sitting With Me. The staff on 4 South just doesn’t come in the room and move on to the next patient. No, there have been many times they hung out a bit to catch up on life. Even on those crazy busy days the staff still pop in to say hello and check on me. I have never felt like a number during my stays on 4 South.

Caring for Laura. The staff has not only taken care of me for the past 17 years, they have taken care of Laura. Laura has never been a patient on 4 South, but the wonderful staff always makes sure she is doing okay. They realize the importance of the caregiver.

A Room With A View. Good Sam is located by the intracoastal in West Palm Beach, FL. Some of the rooms have beautiful views of the water. The staff always tries to make sure I have a room with a view if possible. When I am in the hospital for weeks at a time, waking up to an amazing view is a blessing.

Good Sam Is My Cheers. Have you ever watched the old tv show Cheers. The lyrics from the theme song says “Everybody Knows Your Name.” That is how Laura and I feel when we walk into Good Sam. Everyone knows our name. I bet you have the song in your head now.

A Life Saved. The nurses and staff on 4 South always go above and beyond for their patients. Let me share just one example. Back in 2014, during a visit on 4 South I passed out in my room. My heart rate was out of control. The staff actually had to stop my heart and start it again. During this incident, one of the nurses ran down 3 or 4 flights of stairs to get some medication I desperately needed. Her quick actions probably saved my life. Thankfully, I have no memory of that day. Laura does and is always thankful for the quick response of the staff that day.

As you can see, the staff on 4 South is pretty special. Some of the staff have been taking care of me for 17 years. Some have gone and come back. Some have retired. I have friends that joke Good Sam is a vacation spot for me. Well, I wouldn’t call it a vacation spot, but I would call it my second home. I would call it family. ~OC

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Wounded Warriors

During my 17 year crazy beautiful health journey, I have met many Warriors. These Warriors have overcome so much, as they have walked their own journey. The journey has not been easy. Many have been wounded.

For all my fellow Wounded Warriors, never doubt God has an amazing plan for your life. You may feel your life is out of control, but know God is still in control. Even during your darkest moments, I encourage you to hold on to Hope. I encourage you to stay Strong. Do not allow Discouragement or Fear to keep you from the Purpose God has designed just for you. Yes, even as you walk through your own crazy beautiful journey, God has a plan for your life. A purpose for your pain. Just keep your eyes focused on Him. God is with you this very moment- you only need to be still. He’s got your back. ~OC

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Change My Will

I just started reading a friend of mines book and was blown away by a question he posed in the Introduction.

“Am I letting God use me, or am I trying to use Him? Am I trying to change God or letting Him change me?” ~Finding God’s Life for My Will: His Presence Is the Plan by Mike Donehey

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Thankful And Grateful

Thank God throughout this crazy beautiful journey called Life. A thankful attitude opens the windows of heaven. A thankful heart opens our hearts to God’s Presence. I am thankful and grateful for the many blessings and lessons learned during my own journey. ~OC

I will give thanks to God with everything I’ve got. God’s works are so great, worth a lifetime of study- endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark his craft. His generosity never gives out. His mercies are His memorial. This God of Grace. This God of Love ~Psalm 111:1-5

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When Will We See Change?

1991- 23 innocent victims killed at Luby’s Restaurant in Killeen, Texas.

1999- 13 innocent victims killed at Columbine High School

2007- 32 innocent victims killed at Virginia Tech.

2009-14 innocent victims killed at Fort Hood.

2009- 13 innocent victims killed in Binghamton, New York shooting.

2009- 10 innocent victims killed in Geneva County, Alabama.

2012- 27 innocent victims killed at Sandy Hook.

2012– 12 innocent victims killed at Aurora Theater in Colorado.

2013- 12 innocent victims killed at Washington Navy Yard.

2015- 14 innocent victims killed in San Bernardino, California.

2016- 49 innocent victims killed at Orlando Nighclub.

2017- 58 innocent victims killed in Las Vegas.

2017- 26 innocent victims killed at Sutherland Springs Church in Texas.

2018- 10 innocent victims killed at Santa Fe High School in Texas.

2018-11 innocent victims killed at Pittsburgh Synagogue.

2018-12 innocent victims killed in Thousand Oaks shooting in California.

2018-17 innocent victims killed at Stoneman Douglas High School.

2019- 12 innocent victims in Virginia Beach Shooting.

2019-3 innocent victims killed at Garlic Fest in Gilroy, California.

2019- 2 innocent victims killed at Walmart in Mississippi.

2019-22 innocent victims killed in El Paso, Texas shooting.

2019- 9 innocent victims killed in Dayton, Ohio shooting.

After each of these shootings, we cried out for change. We sent thoughts and prayers. We posted hashtags on social media. Politicians promised these horrific crimes would never happen again. Changes would come. But here we are in 2019, and still no major changes.

We the people need to demand action be taken to end these senseless killings. Call your politicians. Write them letters. Visit their offices. Please do all these things in a peaceful and respectful manner. Vote for change. Our vote still has power in America. ~OC

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