Growing up in East Texas during the late ‘40s and early ‘50s provided a great opportunity for a young man like me to meet many special men who would have a profound impact on my life. The background of these men ranged from the educated to the illiterate, from the successful business man to the hard working man who spent long back breaking hours in the woods cutting logs with a cross cut saw.
I learned a lesson early on that still serves me to this day…if you strip away the book learning, the upper class mentality and fleshly pride, all men are truly equal at the core. That being the case, then every man has life experiences that are valuable to those who follow.
I remember in those early days how my mind was stretched to its limits when I learned the power of thought from the educator. There didn’t seem to be a limit to my dreaming and creative possibilities. After all—if you can dream it—you should be able to achieve it. Since that time I have dedicated my life to being an active dreamer. I shall never stop thinking creatively, thanks to my learned friend who taught me the power of thought.
I was also fascinated and learned from the businessman. He had the ability to turn what seemed to be nothing more than a dream into a mass of activity…producing product, jobs and money. In my mind he was outstanding because of his ability to constantly create.
One of the most cherished lessons of my life was from a man who worked in the woods. He started his career and made his living by cuttings logs with a cross cut saw. He worked from morning till dark in that back breaking job, but I never heard him complain. He lived a life of holiness, and every Sunday he went to church and thanked God for His blessings. He was a man of humility who rarely said a word, but spoke volumes through his life. I often wondered how a man like that could teach so much and say so little.
I’m sure I would not be where I am today if I had not learned the power of thought from the educator, or to be creative from the businessman. I would also have never learned to be a dedicated teacher without words, if it had not been for the woodsman.
Since I have become like all these men…I wonder…would my real father please stand up?
Father,
I thank you for the educator who inspired me to think. I also thank you Lord for the businessman who taught me to dream big dreams and expect miracles. I thank you as well Lord for the woodsman who taught me the value of walking out my faith in humility. Thank you Lord for letting these men father me through those important times of my life
Amen.
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:35-40 KJVA)
Apostle John Dean Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved
Alliance International Ministries