I’m writing to the woman with the boy in the wheelchair. He followed beside her buggy in the supermarket, hands on his wheels.
They didn’t say much to each other. She was too busy shopping. Then, for no reason at all, she leaned over to kiss his cheek.
You’ve never seen a kid so happy.
I’m writing to the kid who isn’t nice-looking. Who’s chubby. Short. Big-eared. Non-athletic. Clumsy. Or God help him—redheaded.
Also, the girl who wishes boys would pay attention to her. Who feels ugly. Who walks with slumped shoulders.
I’m writing to anyone who misses parents; to anyone who misses their spouse. I’m writing to people who miss their dog.
To Guillermo, who I met many years ago in the parking lot of the Mexican restaurant. He lived in his car. He helped jumpstart my truck, then he offered me a twenty.
It moved me to tears. I refused.
So he hugged me and gave me a “God bless you, man.”
To my mama—the woman who threw newspapers. Who lived in a one-bedroom trailer. Who worked from can to can’t. Who is one of the strongest humans I’ve known.
And to you.
We’ve never met, but I know you. Maybe you woke to screaming kids and an empty bank account. Perhaps you have achy joints, and the meds aren’t working.
Whoever you are, this world has sucked you dry, and now it’s billing you for the damage. You used to pray, but you’ve sort of given up the habit.
You ask yourself, “If there really is a God, then why the hell hasn’t he shown up to make things better?”
Yeah. I’m talking to you. I can’t do jack-squat but hook a few words together. But I can tell you something I know:
Nothing lasts.
Not hateful things, not good things. Not ugliness, not beauty. Not football games, back pain, or kidney stones. Not newspaper-delivery jobs. Not life. Not death. Not childhood wheelchairs. Not the dirt beneath you.
There is one thing that will outlive this cotton-picking universe. You already know what it is.
So find a person who needs some.
And give it away.
32 comments
Nancy Segovia - February 7, 2017 10:27 am
God bless you always, Sean. Nancy
Chrissie - February 7, 2017 11:16 am
Wow. Just wow.
Nancy Peters - February 7, 2017 12:22 pm
I start my day reading your posts. You slways make me smile. I thank God for your gifts to your readers. God bless you, Sean!
Priscilla S. Adkisson - February 7, 2017 12:35 pm
Beautiful, and so true! Thank you.
Tom Scott - February 7, 2017 12:37 pm
Thank you!
Camille Atkins - February 7, 2017 12:44 pm
Thank you Sean for speaking to me this morning! I’m sending you a smile~
jazz - February 7, 2017 1:16 pm
Thanks man. That really hit the spot.
Loyd Mehaffey - February 7, 2017 1:50 pm
You just keep stringing those words together, Sean …. they touch more folks than you can possibly imagine. Blessings.
Rebecca - February 7, 2017 2:10 pm
A friend shared one of your blogs about a month ago. After reading, I subscribed to receive it daily. Each morning I look forward to reading because each one touches my heart. Thank you for using God’s gift to you of writing to be an inspiration to others. Now to wait for tomorrow’s.
Judy - February 7, 2017 3:04 pm
You and your words are a blessing to so many people, including me.
Sandra Lee Van Dam - February 7, 2017 4:02 pm
Tears, and thanks.
Debbie - February 7, 2017 4:04 pm
Awesome
Marilyn Rowell Fuller - February 7, 2017 4:33 pm
You, sir, are so gifted!
Marilyn Carnell - February 7, 2017 4:48 pm
You are so sweet natured. Right now, I am in transitional care and the meds aren’t working on my new knee. I needed your message.
Marilyn Carnell
Cherryl Shiver - February 7, 2017 6:10 pm
I have to admit something to you today. I broke my habit this morning, did not start my day with you, drank my coffee and went straight out to the barn to muck some stalls so that my grand daughter would not be in hot water this evening. Anyway, I came in and sat down and watched Rocky Balboa,…yeah, he said,….There is still some fight in the fighter” and I thought of your stories. You bring out the good in folks, that is your gift, you were put here to remind us to look for that good. Thank you, and I am sure the Lord is filling your crown with some stars.
Kay Keel - February 7, 2017 7:44 pm
…But the words you hook together touch the hearts of so many people! Thank you!
Carol DeLater - February 7, 2017 9:11 pm
Everyday we read what you write. The comments are full of thanks and claps on your back. Every….EVERY day you reinforce your message. Keep it up. It’s like a pebble tossed into water sending that never ending ripple effect. It’s all over the place if you look. People are looking for ways to help those in need. Now more than ever before. It’s a movement. Keep up the good work.
xx, Carol
Bill Wilhelm - February 7, 2017 10:35 pm
Sean…the cooking lasts too.
Bill Wilhelm - February 7, 2017 10:37 pm
I am/was the dreaded redhead. You are right. That didn’t last either.
Marti - February 8, 2017 12:32 am
Timely. Timeless. Time to act on it.
Thank you for the much needed reminders, encouragement, and occasional butt-kick.
Peace.
Mary Ellen Hall - February 8, 2017 4:27 am
BEAUTIFUL!!!
Rhoda - March 2, 2017 2:14 pm
Giving some away right now….to you , with the smile you helped create
Leslie Villars - March 2, 2017 2:47 pm
I am writing to tell you thank you! I am sitting in a little 3 bedroom trailer in Greenhead, FL. and I am trying to hang on as my best friend and lover of 34 years and one wonderful Son that he fathered all his life with the best dad a man with little money did for his son. I am now in the final stages of saying good bye to the man that I love so dearly as he prepares to meet our Lord. So thank you for sharing your story and God Bless you. From a little ole lady that has tried for 62 years and have destroyed any chance for a more secure old age with maxed out CCs and the only thing that is a comfort for me is the fact that Roger and I thought about our son Nathan ‘s future and we worked to leave him the only thing we could. (a paid of tiny 3 bedroom and 5 acres of God’s land. SO thank you again and I am very grateful to my friend that sent me your link. Thank you. God Bless you and the Lord knows you could be an angel (or devil) in disguise!
Bunny - January 16, 2018 4:03 pm
God bless you & your Sweetheart. May God give you strength as you face the days ahead.
Mary Howes - March 2, 2017 3:11 pm
Thank you for reminding me today that nothing lasts forever. I needed this.God Bless you !
Karen Bethea - March 2, 2017 5:41 pm
Been there. Missed it.Done it. Haven’t done it. Want to do it. Cried. Screamed. Had a baby. Been abused. Been happy. Been loved. Been sad. Been happy. Been miserable. Been terrified. Been safe. Been the best friend of God. Been close to God. Been loving God. Am thankful.
William A Nichols - January 16, 2018 10:55 am
I’m the guy missing his spouse this morning.
Glenda Hulbert - January 16, 2018 10:58 am
Just found your blog ~ speechless with gratitude for your gift of eloquence.
Deb Bettis - January 16, 2018 2:12 pm
You speak for us all, Sean. Lost my Dad when I was only two years old. Yes, I am (or was) one of those redheads. My big brother was, too. Oh, the names we were called. but we survived. We stood by our mama’s deathbed,and wept as she left us. We saw our brother sink into the quagmire of alcohol, and he died alone out in Wyoming. Life is hard. But the moments of crystal clear skies of blue, lit by a golden sun, give us brief moments of joy. And we can go on. Our dog leaps with joy when we walk with her, and we can move on through life. Your words give us the strength to continue on our journey. Thank you!
Pat Nichols - January 16, 2018 2:53 pm
If the apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 13 today, it would go like this.
Carolyn Postlethwaite - January 16, 2018 3:56 pm
Thank you for sharing your love and hope with us. Keep on keeping on!
Charaleen Wright - April 1, 2019 3:58 pm
❤