23 June 2001

Subject: A Personal Story

Dear Ones,

 

A personal story of how God works in our lives if we just invite Him in to do so.

 

In March 1995 at my third School Board meeting since being elected, an African-American, single mother of a 13 year-old student came before the School Board to ask that her daughter not be expelled from our school system. After reading the file on this disruptive child, I was almost certain that the Board would uphold the recommendation of the Superintendent. She was rebellious, disrespectful, prone to fight and had already been thrown out of a local Catholic school before she came to the public system.

 

I was touched, however, as her mother pleaded with the Board to help "savage" her child. With tears flowing down her cheeks, the mother said that she had already lost two sons to the streets and that both were presently incarcerated in the state penitentiary. Unmoved by her pleas, the Board acted as I thought we would.... we voted unanimously to expel the child for the rest of the school year.

 

Before leaving for home after the meeting, I located the young girl standing in the hallway. I put my arm around her neck and spoke to her as a father would talk to a daughter. I told her that her mother loved her and didn't want to lose another child. I told her she needed to get her life straightened out. I got absolutely no response from her and as I drove home that evening I wondered what she thought of this old, grey-headed, white man putting his arm around her and talking to her as I did.

 

Thinking about her and unable to sleep, I got out of my bed around midnight and headed to my office. There I wrote a letter telling her much of what I had told her earlier in the evening. Realizing that if my talk didn't do any good, what would a letter restating my concerns do, I decided to try something a bit different. I wrote a contract and offered her $5,000 if she would meet the following conditions: (1) continue her schooling when she got re-instated, (2) stay out of trouble, and (3) graduate from an accredited high school within the next 8 years. I added a place for her to sign the contract, along with a place for her mother to sign as her witness and mailed it to her.

 

There, I had made her an offer.... now, let's see if she would "rise to the bait". I was delighted within a week's time to receive the contract back signed by her and her mother as her witness. I thought to myself.... well, we'll see.

 

When she got back in school the next year, she wrote and told me "there is a 'new' LaToya in town". And there was. She changed her ways and turned herself around. She stayed out of trouble and she made the Honor Roll. We stayed in touch via letters during the year, with me always encouraging her to do her best. I was never more pleased when I saw her and her mother at the Honors Banquet at the end of the school year. I hugged her.... and told her how proud I was of her and what she was doing for herself.

 

I sent her small monetary gifts in each of my letters and sent her money to attend basketball camp in the Summer. This corresponding went on for the next five years. She stayed out of trouble and made the Honor Roll each year. It worked!! Thank you Lord!! What more could I ask for. To God be the glory!!

 

On May 22d this year, Leavon and I went to LaToya's high school graduation. The Lord rewarded us with more than I could ever hope for. LaToya graduated 4th in her class of 122 students with a cumulative GPA of 3.97. In addition to my $5,000 gift, she received several thousands of dollars worth of scholarships and numerous awards. I sat there beaming like any proud parent would.

 

LaToya is headed to college this Summer and plans to major in Law and minor in Criminology. (I may have influenced her career choice since I earlier had offered to help get her Summer employment in the local DA's Office and told her I thought she would make an excellent lawyer.)

 

After graduation, LaToya sent me two cards and a very nice letter. She told me many things like, "I will never stop thanking you.... and will never forget what you did for me!" Her mother and grandmother said to me after graduation, "You saved LaToya." I replied, "No, LaToya saved herself.... but with the love of God in my heart, we just provided her with the incentive."

 

I have never been prouder of anybody in my life. It was without a doubt the best $5,000 I ever spent. Say, did I show you the picture of "my daughter" at her graduation? Well, here it is.....isn't she beautiful.... and now, I can hardly wait until she finishes college.

Invite God into your life, have a super day today.... and may all your Saturdays be special.

 

Blessings!!

 

Don