Here is an old story. I have used this in my radio program and I would like to share this with you.
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco.
“Mom and dad, I’m coming home, but I’ve a favor to ask. I have a friend I’d like to bring home with me.”
“Sure,” they replied. “We’d love to meet him.”
“There’s something you should know,” the son continued. “He was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us.”
“I’m sorry to hear that son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live.”
“No, mom and dad, I want him to live with us.”
“Son,” said the father, “you don’t know what you’re asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden to us. We have our own lives to live, and we can’t let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He’ll find a way to live on his own.”
At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide.
The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn’t know – their son had only one arm and one leg.[1]
The parents in this story are not unlike many of us. We find it easy to accept those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don’t like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who are not as healthy, beautiful or as smart as we are.
Take a look around you. In every office or every work place there are those who are hurting and are crying for help. But the thing that makes all this difficult is that there is an unwritten law that every one is to keep it inside, they do not want to look weak. It is important to project an image of strength and stability. But deep inside the heart lurkes discomfort and pain.
Remember this: People who are hurting will always hurt other people.
You find them irritable, offensive, you don’t like the way they speak, they act and they way the treat you but maybe deep inside them, they feel they are not accepted.
To get beneath the facade and know the hurts and pains in the heart of this oppressive person. Reach out and be a friend. Respond to their cries for help and be willing to accept them as a friend.
Thankfully, God loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into His Presence no matter who we are or how handicapped we are in life. We’ve made a mess of our lives but He still loves us so much He gave His life for us. And the love and the forgiveness we now receive from Him should also be share with those who need it don’t you think so?
If you feel you’re hurting in life and that you can’t cope anymore, there is One who will never reject you and He is more than willing to accept you into His loving arms. His name is Jesus. Call on Him with your whole heart and He will certainly respond.
Source: Hot Illustrations For Yourth Talks
very inspiring one sir francis. advance merry xmas!!!
Hi there Sir Francis,
It’s another inspiring story you’ve been shared to us. This is really true Sir, people who are hurting will always hurt other people, because of the feeling of being an outcast that’s why hurting other people is there recourse.
I myself encountered this kind of people, but as a Christian what I’m holding to it is the greatest commandment ” Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength”. For this covers the 4 areas of our life that belongs to Jesus. Our desires, our sense of being, our thinking, and our actions. If we truly love Jesus it will show in all the areas in our lives.
Sir thank you for another inspiring story. God bless and more power to you.
The only thing glaring about this story is that there is a difference between aiding a complete disabled stranger (as what the son who called seemed to mean) than aiding a disabled family member. Though it’s the same level of stress when caring for disabled, but the stress of caring will be offset because you love the family member and you feel nothing for stranger.
It’s the same way when a parent asks me to take care of them because they are getting older now and them asking me to take care of their elderly good friend as well. It’s not the same.
It think it was unfair for the son to do something so drastic as to kill himself because he worded a telephone conversation in the wrong manner.
Thanks for the reminder sir! God bless you more!
Very inspiring indeed.
I so agree with Ms.Juvy, let’s always try to uphold the greatest commandment because in doing so we could never go wrong in treating our mankind.
This of course is easily said than done. The question to ponder on is, “Would it not be inspiring to LOVE GOD AS MUCH AS WE CAN? He who has created us, He who came to earth and died for us to save us from the bondage of sin, He who has provided us everything that we have (family, friends, and possessions) and let us not forget He who has made it possible for us to breath and live until today that’s why we are still able to witness all these up to this very moment.
This really touch my heart. Hope God will give me grace to apply it in my own life.
Thanks for sharing this story. My friend forwarded this article via email and it’s really worth reading. We must always remember, as children of God, to talk to Him in all times. He will surely welcome us with wide arms open no matter how bad were we. He continue to loves us unconditionally that no other things can ruin our bond to Him. Amen.
wonderful story.. i agree Jesus loves us that much. Merry Christmas and God bless you more.
Thank you for posting this message sir francis.
Worth reading this article. You’re one of GODs
instrument sir to inspire a lot of people. Thank you
Mr. Kong,
Good evening!
Your stories and anecdotes never fail to touch the hearts of people out there who have read your articles and books .. I found in your words a rich source of inspiration and enlightenment and I’m blessed to have read your works for you are trully an inspiring beacon of light in this tumultuous times.. I always make it a point to read your articles in The Star every Saturday and even cut out your articles for my son’s future reading. I became an instant fan when I read your book..One Day at a Time and I have been touched by your work and your stories. May God continue to give you good health and grace to pursue your passion and mission in life. You are a big inspiration to our youth and I fervently pray that your words and inspiring stories will reverberate throughout the generations to come.. Keep up the good work Mr. Kong..Merry Christmas and God Bless you and your family.
Thank you so much Dennis. I appreciate your encouragement.
Thanks Dennis.
And we all need a dose of inspiration and an encouragement from you really keeps me doing what I am doing.
Have a Great Day Dennis!
That story is included to the book that i have, of course it’s Sir francis’s book. “Life’s Work”. The story is entitled “handicapped” in it.
Love the story.!
Dear Mr Francis Kong,
I have heard you speak once and hear you mostly on radio at febc. You have also caught my husbands attention with the morning talk on febc.
We are currently looking for an inspirational speaker. Someone to unify and motivate – speak to the “congregation” to jumpstart the year with a bang and energize the team in tackling the big challenges ahead.
May i know how we could contact your office?
Thank you so much,
Anna Torio
CafeFrance Corp.
I have instructed Rara to touch base with you and should you have other needs, please feel free to write me an email and direct it to my personal email addy: franciskong@businessmatters.org
thank you and have a Great Day!
Francis
wow….napakagandang story sir.nakakainspire po kayo tlaga.lhat po ng ginagawa nyo ay nakaka bless tlaga po.im always following you sir on tv and even sa phil star.sna po makita ko kyo in person…God will bless you sir….
thanks so much Jeffrey. You are very kind.