Is it possible to write about the success of a man without including the woman who watches his back? Not in my book or even in my blog! This story is about my friend Ken. This story only exists because of his belief in God and the love of his wife. He is who he is because of both of them.
I have only known him a short time, maybe a little over a year. I have watched him make an impact on many lives. He is a man of action even when life renders him incapacitated physically. If you know him personally then you know that he has survived the blessing of cancer. Yeah, I just wrote those words and I am staring at them in disbelief. "The blessing of cancer." How can a dreaded disease that destroys life become a blessing? Only somebody like Ken with faith in God and a wife like BG can make that happen.
We sat the other day and talked during what has become our almost weekly coffee chats. He was telling me about somebody with terminal cancer with an undetermined life expectancy. He urged the man to take somebody with him. Now in the world where I live, that means one gang member would take the life of another gang member. We live in a violent and selfish world. I have watched young people die on the streets of Buffalo. What did Ken mean by telling a dying man to "Take somebody with him?"
Mother Teresa once said: "I used to think it was my job to convert people, it"s not. My job is to love people, love will do the converting." Ken was telling the man to love people, leave a trail of love for people to follow. That's what Ken and BG do, they leave a trail of love for people to follow. You can take people on the trail of love by becoming the love you hope to see in others. They have children who have become world changers. Each of their children has done something to make an impact on those around them.
We live in an imperfect world as an imperfect people. If we focus on the unlimited possibilities of love in front of us, we will leave a trail for others to follow. We become perfected in God's love as He removes our imperfections. If we were to focus on our imperfect past, we would be viewing the world through "Past-Colored Glasses." Ken and BG look for the good in everyone they meet. Growing out of their imperfect past, they have become living testimonies that draw others to God by their actions of love.
When I listen to Ken talk about his wife, I'm filled with admiration. He doesn't use these words, but I can almost envision BG as his Armour Bearer. Actually, they are each others Armour Bearer's. It's a mutual "I've always got your back" kind of love. He praises her and I don't think I've ever heard him utter a negative word about her. I'm not sure of the exact amount of time that they have been together but it's over 3 decades. To stay married that long and raise children is a very formidable task. Sometimes it seems like the powers of nature were designed as destructive forces aimed at families. But God did not design nature that way. He makes butterflies that struggle. He makes diamonds under pressure and stress. He makes pearls out of our irritating ways. Ken and BG have taken the struggle, stress and irritants to become butterflies, diamonds and pearls to each other.
Ken is an Author and a Speaker. If you ever get the chance to buy his books or listen to him speak, don't hesitate. He will take you with him on an unforgettable journey that leads to love. I pray that all marriages would be occupied by Armour Bearers with helmets of salvation leading the way for others to follow a love that endures all things.
Author's Note: Ken's book is called: "The Potter's Perfect Piece."
He is writing several other books including an inspirational book about cancer. Please contact him if you have an inspiring story.
 |
| Love endures all things and inspires endurance in others. |
I have only known him a short time, maybe a little over a year. I have watched him make an impact on many lives. He is a man of action even when life renders him incapacitated physically. If you know him personally then you know that he has survived the blessing of cancer. Yeah, I just wrote those words and I am staring at them in disbelief. "The blessing of cancer." How can a dreaded disease that destroys life become a blessing? Only somebody like Ken with faith in God and a wife like BG can make that happen.
We sat the other day and talked during what has become our almost weekly coffee chats. He was telling me about somebody with terminal cancer with an undetermined life expectancy. He urged the man to take somebody with him. Now in the world where I live, that means one gang member would take the life of another gang member. We live in a violent and selfish world. I have watched young people die on the streets of Buffalo. What did Ken mean by telling a dying man to "Take somebody with him?"
Mother Teresa once said: "I used to think it was my job to convert people, it"s not. My job is to love people, love will do the converting." Ken was telling the man to love people, leave a trail of love for people to follow. That's what Ken and BG do, they leave a trail of love for people to follow. You can take people on the trail of love by becoming the love you hope to see in others. They have children who have become world changers. Each of their children has done something to make an impact on those around them.
 |
| All of the seeds in these pumpkins don't add up to all the seeds of love that Ken & BG have planted with their lives. |
We live in an imperfect world as an imperfect people. If we focus on the unlimited possibilities of love in front of us, we will leave a trail for others to follow. We become perfected in God's love as He removes our imperfections. If we were to focus on our imperfect past, we would be viewing the world through "Past-Colored Glasses." Ken and BG look for the good in everyone they meet. Growing out of their imperfect past, they have become living testimonies that draw others to God by their actions of love.
When I listen to Ken talk about his wife, I'm filled with admiration. He doesn't use these words, but I can almost envision BG as his Armour Bearer. Actually, they are each others Armour Bearer's. It's a mutual "I've always got your back" kind of love. He praises her and I don't think I've ever heard him utter a negative word about her. I'm not sure of the exact amount of time that they have been together but it's over 3 decades. To stay married that long and raise children is a very formidable task. Sometimes it seems like the powers of nature were designed as destructive forces aimed at families. But God did not design nature that way. He makes butterflies that struggle. He makes diamonds under pressure and stress. He makes pearls out of our irritating ways. Ken and BG have taken the struggle, stress and irritants to become butterflies, diamonds and pearls to each other.
 |
| Ken the Author at a Book Signing. |
Ken is an Author and a Speaker. If you ever get the chance to buy his books or listen to him speak, don't hesitate. He will take you with him on an unforgettable journey that leads to love. I pray that all marriages would be occupied by Armour Bearers with helmets of salvation leading the way for others to follow a love that endures all things.
Author's Note: Ken's book is called: "The Potter's Perfect Piece."
He is writing several other books including an inspirational book about cancer. Please contact him if you have an inspiring story.
 |
| This book will help you to "Take somebody with you." |
Thank you for writing this. It's all true!
ReplyDeleteKen and BG are the best. I'm honored to know them. Thank you Jesus!