I knew a guy once, who had a brother in law, who worked with a guy, whose
sister baby sat for the guy who used to walk the dog of the neighbor of a guy
who once went to an Elton John concert. Online. Talk about a connection-wow!
I’d really like to meet that guy someday, but what could I ever say to someone
so connected like that? Or which one. When I moved to Albuquerque in 1975
Fleetwood Mac was big, or just becoming big-again. N one remembers the original
group before Stevie Nicks joined. But the ads on KRST, the hot FM station
advertised Stevie Nicks return to Albuquerque, how exciting. I didn’t now she
lived here, and she really had. Seems for a few months in the third grade, her
father was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, in the late 50’s. Welcome home
Stevie-I’m sure the memories are precious. And even before that, I worked with
a guy named Wes Watson at Sears. Wes was a cool black guy, who tended bar at
night. So in my BC days, Before Christ, he invited us down one night for free
beer, who could say no to that. So Jack and I went, and it was in a bad area of
Plainfield-so bad some blacks didn’t even go there. Half afraid, the other half
was too stupid to know better, we approached the door, where a huge, like the
size of an SUV sized bouncer greeted us. “What you boys want?” he barked. I
mean he really barked. Half heartedly we mumbled “Wes invited us down to hang
out,” even more afraid to mention free beer to the guy. “This bar ain’t for
CAW-casians,” was all he had to say, and we were outta there. Later talking to
Wes, asking him if he was trying to get us killed, he told us the guy was really
nice, just having a rough night. “Nothing personal, guys, let’s try again next
week.” Huh? Maybe if we said we were related to Wes, except for Elton John
substitute Marvin Gaye....
But things like that happen, and most people are impressed when you know
someone who is a celebrity. Even my dad, when we played Midget League, Carl’s
sister was married to the son of Jimmy Durante, and Carl was on my team, and
lived right next to the park. And every time we went by his house, my dad
reminded me of the Durante connection, and looked to see if Jimmy was there.
What was he going to do if he was? Years after I still looked when I went by.
On my paper route was Al Derogotis, who played for the New York Giants. A huge
man, I didn’t know who he was, he was always nice to me, and one day my dad
found out he was on my route. “You know DeRo?” And after an explanation of who
he was, admitted it. My dad was impressed, I knew DeRo. And you could say that
you knew the father of the man who delivered the Star Ledger to the man who used
to play for the Giants. Still not impressed?
And so over the years I have come to know many celebrities while working
for Mercedes Benz and Land Rover. Most are cool, some would talk motorcycles,
but couldn’t ride, like Mark Kotsay. Who used to stop by and we’d talk bikes,
but he couldn’t even sit on one, it was in his contract. Kevin Mitchell used to
stop by and we’d talk motorcycles, and family. “Hey, Mike,this is Mitch, you
busy?” “No Kevin, I’m at work.” And you knew that for an hour later that day
you would be. I even met Bobby Jones once, when he was traded to the Mets, and
we talked about the Mets, and asked if he knew Bill Del Nero? “Willie, yeah, I
rent a house in spring training from him,” and suddenly it was personal. Willie
was our neighbor growing up. So over the years, I have made contacts, friends,
acquaintances, and those who knew somebody who knew somebody. I have been
offered free drinks, tickets, signed posters, and free meals out. All because I
knew someone, who knew me, and we became friends. Some famous, some infamous,
some just folk, and some just plain embarrassing. You all know who you are.
It seems I am on many prayer lists of people who call me for prayer. Not a
bad thing, but I am anything but a prayer warrior. I know some who are, I’m
not. But lately it bothers me when I get put on the spot by some to add this
person to my prayer list, which I don’t have. Like if I don’t pray it’s my
fault. My prayer needs change everyday, many times a day. So to those who only
tell someone “I’ll pray for you,” or “I’ll add you to Mike’s prayer list,”
listen up. Even though it is encouraging to tell someone you are praying for
them, why not stop and pray for them then. Right now. Show you really care.
Not later, if you remember. The need is now, and if you can’t deal with now,
how can you deal with later? You have the same connection to Jesus I do, the
same spirit listens to me, do you listen to the same spirit I do? Why call me
when you can do it yourself? Did you ever think that this was a divine
appointment God has given you, to pray for this person? So why bring me into
it, bring Jesus instead. Nothing personal, but that’s just what it sounds
like. Why not encourage the person that God already knows, before they ask, and
is dealing with it right now. Isaiah 65:24 reassures us of that. You tell them
Jesus is personal, then pass on bringing Him into the conversation. I guess I
just don’t get it.
Section 8 housing in San Diego is a 3-5 year wait. Praying for a home in
3-5 years is OK, but where are you living tonight? Shouldn’t you focus on
today’s problems? It is written to not worry about tomorrow, today has enough
problems of its own. Do I hear an amen? But yet these same people moan that it
will be 5 years, and don’t take account of today. And some are on prayer lists
forwarded to me....So I find that the one quality of good advice that applies to
everyone is that it only works if taken. Yet many turn from it, and only
yesterday we prayed for a man on the street. He was telling how God has been
talking to him, and guiding him through changes he is going through. Would we
pray for him? But before we prayed, I asked him if he was willing to obey God?
Was he going to listen to God’s answer, even if it wasn’t what he wanted? He
paused, and admitted, it would be tough. He’s not alone. He was more honest
than most. And I prayed, struggling at times, I felt disconnected, couldn’t
find the words. Maybe I was afraid he wouldn’t listen for God’s answer, was I
wasting my time. But when we were done, through tears he told me “you prayed
for everything I was asking for.” And was encouraged, maybe my prayer was just
to encourage, to show I cared. To show God’s love right then. Imagine if I had
told him “I’ll add you to my prayer list?” And you think God isn’t listening?
He doesn’t know?
Don’t put yourself in the position to ever say I wish I had prayed for that
person. Pray for them then. And now. Prayer lists are good thing, just don’t
substitute them for a time God has appointed for you. When asked how to pray,
Jesus responded “they will be done...” can we pray the same? If you don’t know
Jesus, how will you know the Father? And not all prayer needs to be
publicized. I have some real winners that are none of your business. And God
isn’t waiting for the 500th person to ask before He acts. Quantity doesn’t
matter, when He is the majority. Sometimes just say amen Lord to whatever you
want to do is enough. Then let Him. Be that person who hears directly from
God, rather than through another person, no matter how related they aren’t to
you. Nothing personal was our life before Christ, you don’t have to live that
way any more. His line is open, is yours?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com