Andrew Valdez was born in New Mexico but migrated to Salt Lake City, Utah. Losing his father at a young age forced Andrew to work on the street as a shoe-shiner. At the age of eight, he began selling newspapers on the corner of Main Street and 200 South in Salt Lake City. One day when Valdez was 10 years old, he met a man named Jack Keller. Pretty soon, Jack became his regular newspaper customer. As the relationship developed between them, Keller took Valdez under his wings and introduced him to the world of tennis and folks at the country club. Valdez excelled in tennis but he couldn’t help but notice that the finest clothed people at the country club were lawyers. So he decided to become a lawyer. Consequently with the help of Keller’s mentoring, Valdez entered Law School at the University of Utah and went on to become a successful lawyer.
Over the years they lost track of each other. Forty years later, everything came full circle when Andy, found Jack Keller begging in front of a store. He was filthy and suffering from dementia. Immediately, Andy got Jack off the streets and provided Jack care and dignity for the remainder of his life. Today, Judge Andrew Valdez deals with troubled kids, giving help and setting a role model for them to become contributing members in society. Judge Valdez’s story reminds us that with the help and love of another, anyone can achieve anything in life. It is also a reminder to each of us of where we came from and who helped us along the way. No matter who we are, what color our skin or what our country of origin is, there are far more similarities than differences between us.
Being a minister, working in the non-profit sector, I have found God will bring people into your lives that are directly linked to your own destiny. These people are not necessarily to help you but you are to help them. Your success lies at their success. It means, you may have to open doors for them. It involves you introducing them to someone you know. The more efficiently and willingly you help them, the faster and higher you’re going to go. Pushing them up will automatically bring you to a higher level. Over the course of my life, I’ve had hundreds of people pushing me up. In return, I’ve dedicated my life to those who have no voice and lack opportunities.
You may say, "Sandy, I have no one to help me!" But you do. None of us got here on our own. Someone made a positive deposit in your life. Had it not been for that person, you wouldn’t be here today. Best of all, the Creator of the universe, God Almighty is not only with you, but He also is for you. Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5.
Once, the Israelites were fighting a battle with the Amalekites. Moses the leader had a deal with God. As long as Moses held his rod and arms up in the air, the Israelites prevailed. But when his hands came down, the enemy had the advantage. Assessing the situation, Aaron, Moses’ brother, and Hur came to help and held up the heavy arms of Moses. Amazingly, this one small act by two small players brought about a great victory for the Israelites. (Exodus 15:8-13).
This is what happens when you push people up. You may think your contribution is insignificant; but in the long run, it’s the little things that turn people into great beings.
I remember when I was in grade school; boys and girls alike, had to learn sewing. Being a boy, it didn’t come easy for me in my class. But we had a teacher called Ms. Grape who I found favor with. In every sewing class, she stood by me and helped me finish my sewing project. She told me that I could do it and showed me how. She invested extra time on me teaching me to sew. Years later, I not only learned how to sow; but I can clearly remember the kindness Ms. Grape showed me. I couldn’t repay her then but now she is made famous by your reading about her kindness.
Friend, look for ways to be good to people. You may not be able to give a job to someone; but like Jack Keller, you can buy “newspaper” from somebody who needs that income. You may not be able to fight a war; but like Aaron and Hur, you can encourage someone who is going through a rough time. You may not be able to send someone to college; but like my teacher Ms. Grape, you can teach something practical to someone you know.
You don’t necessarily have to do anything big – buy someone a lunch. Give a ride to someone; take them to church. Bake a cake for your elderly neighbor. If you meet a stranger, introduce them to someone you know who can help them. Like Jack Keller, mentor someone. Speak well of somebody when others are speaking down on that person. Friend, when you’re good to people, you’ll store up rewards for yourself. One day those rewards, gathering up in clouds will get so thick and heavy that it will begin to rain down on your life. It will refresh you when you need it the most, when going through your worst. Friend, God wants to be good to you; but first, you must plant a few seeds. The scripture says, “You will always harvest what you plant." I am praying for you!
If you’re looking for ways to help someone, please take the time to visit our website (http://www.buildinternational.org). There are many ways you can push people up, costing you hardly anything. Remember, in this beautiful thing called life, no one makes it alone. Somebody is waiting for you to be their miracle!
For more Life Lessons and to join Sandy transform lives, check out: http://www.buildinternational.org
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