Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Homeless to Heaven”

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. – Proverbs 10:4 (NIV)

I love success stories. You know the kind; the ones where individuals when faced with overwhelming odds conquer them and what appear to be hopeless situations and find success. There is one in particular that comes to mind.
Breaking Night is the autobiography of Liz Murray which describes her life growing up in a dysfunctional family with drug-addicted parents. Her mother was not only a drug-addict but an alcoholic as well. She contracted AIDS after sharing needles with other addicts. They would often be homeless, living on the street. On one occasion, when Murray got head-lice, she had to deal with it alone. She and her sister went days without food, once eating toothpaste and lip balm to quell their hunger.
After all the years of neglect, living from shelter to shelter, Murray left home at 15. She spent her adolescence sleeping on the streets, the subway and the couches of friends. Liz’s life, like so many like hers could have ended tragically or she could have followed the pattern of her parents, addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. It certainly would have been the easiest road for her to take and the one that so many chose.
When her mother died, Liz took a look at her life and decided she wanted something better. She began her work to finish high school which she finished a year early. Seeing her ability her teachers encouraged her to go to college. But how could someone like her afford college? One teacher in particular saw her potential and encouraged her to enter an essay contest sponsored by the New York Times. She did…and she won! She earned a scholarship to Harvard University where she excelled as well.
Today, Murray tours the nation as a motivational speaker sharing her story, especially to high school students and to underprivileged kids—encouraging them to give their best. Liz is living proof that diligence, along with determination can pay off. By the way, you might have seen Liz’s story. Lifetime made her book into a movie called Homeless to Harvard. Not only has her story been heard by thousands, but also seen by thousands as well.
What might our story look like? Could we, or would we, given similar circumstances overcome the same odds? Since we probably cannot answer that question maybe there is another question to ask instead: What are you willing to do to improve your life now?
Diligence is one of the Seven Heavenly virtues. It is described as the following: A zealous and careful nature in one's actions and work; decisive work ethic, steadfastness in belief, fortitude, and the capability of not giving up. Budgeting one's time; monitoring one's own activities to guard against laziness. Upholding one's convictions at all times, especially when no one else is watching…this is what we would also term, integrity.
In a way…we all are like Liz. We enter this life with a great number of uncertainties and in a spiritual sense, homeless. We cannot rely on others to make a way for us—instead we must follow the example of Christ. And then be diligent in what we do.
Winston Churchill could be the greatest motivational speaker (and person) of the 20th century. His most famous speech was all of 11 words. “Never give up. Never give up. Never, never, never give up!”
That is the essence of diligence.
Pastor J. T. Carnell