A Blessing In Disguise At Easter

By the time I put my feet up after dinner last Sunday night I was totally spent. Exhausted. All I wanted to do was watch some TV. I was especially looking forward to the story about John Maclean on 60 Minutes.

John was a professional rugby league player who was hit by a car while riding his bike 25 years ago. Rendered a paraplegic, he was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. However twelve months ago, and with the assistance of a brilliant physician, he learnt how to walk again. Naturally I couldn’t wait to see his story.

Then, just as I got comfortable on the couch, the TV went blank! I couldn’t believe it. No signal. Nothing. And only after I pushed every button on the remote another four hundred times while talking to the TV I realised it was all over. There was no coming back, I was shattered.

But for some reason I decided to listen to the radio instead of reaching for my iPad. Perhaps my eyes were too tired. Anyway, after flicking through a few different stations a conversation piqued my interest…someone was talking about The 12 Step Program.

The host was Reverend Bill Crews on 2GB. I don’t mind talkback radio but not on a Sunday night. It’s like having a rump steak for desert. It’s a bit much.

But this was different. I first learnt about The 12 Step Program while I was a Lifeline Telephone Councillor at Uni. It is rooted in goodness and has turned around many lives. Most people know of it as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), however it is also used for gambling (GA), narcotics (NA) and overeating (OEA).

To put this in perspective, 1 in 7 Australians are involved in one of The 12 Step Programs. Hence the power of anonymity.

Later on his show, Rev. Bill invited listeners to attend the Exodus Foundation in Ashfield the following week. He wanted us to witness what the program had done for those less fortunate than you and I.

The Blessing

Well, last night I took up the invitation and thank God I didn’t scratch around beforehand, looking for an excuse not to go. I met some amazing people but there was one very special fellow who couldn’t be there. His name is Tom.

Tom is homeless and visits the Loaves and Fishes restaurant every day for a meal. (They feed 1,000 people a day).

Amongst other things, Tom collects aluminium cans for cash. And given he is homeless, what do you think he does with the money? Have a guess…

You ready?

He saves it and sends it to Cambodia to help school children less fortunate than he.

You could’ve knocked me over with a wet bus ticket when I heard that. I was that shocked!

The Teacher

So what does this have to do with wealth creation? I guess you could say the obvious such as goals, strategy, etc. But nothing could be more important than what just lit up your heart – character.

Have a very Happy Easter and God bless you Tom.

And if the TV goes blank, count your blessings.

P.S Rev. Bill said they are desperate for blankets right now. So if you have any spares you might want to consider the Exodus Foundation. You could even sneak in a hand full of Easter eggs or a packet of Tim Tam’s as well…or both! Just a thought.