No One Showed Me

When St Francis of Assisi died, they made him a saint; while he lived they severely criticized him. Crude, idiotic and ridiculous were some the words they used to describe his ministry. One evening while writing in his diary he responded to his critics with these words… “No one showed me.” Francis would have been his critics’ most willing-to-learn student, but as he wrote, “No one showed me.”

One of my high school teachers pulled me aside. She showed me a paper I had written. “Look at this,” she said. “The spelling is atrocious, grammar is unbelievable . . . .“ My teacher went on critiquing my work. She was right, but she said it, and didn’t show me.

A few years back I was tutoring a 12 year old boy who was dealing with a reading and writing problem. At our first meeting, I asked him to write his name for me. It was sad. Twelve years old and not one letter in his name was legible. I started to say something obvious such as, “We’ve got a lot of work to do,” or “You need to take your time.” But instead the Lord grabbed my hand, and together we held his little hand, pencil and all, and rewrote his name. Then he did it by himself. “Not bad.” I said. His eyes sparkled as he grinned from ear to ear.

As I think back on this small yet life changing event, I ask you to CONSIDER how many people suffer from a case of “no one showed me,” CONSIDER how easy the treatment actually is; don’t say in words what is obvious and crippling. Instead, reach out a hand and show.

Jesus told them a parable: Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher.” (Luke 6: 39-40)

Rev. Wendell Mettey
Revised 7/26/2013

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