I am sure you all have heard the recent, unbelievable news of a homeless man living on the streets of Columbus, Ohio climbing to world-wide stardom overnight. Check this link out if you haven’t: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/01/06/ted-williams-the-homeless-man-with-the-golden-voice-visits-today/
I watched the initial video of Ted a couple of days ago and then it was like all “heck breaking loose.” The viral world we live in today certainly can turn rags into riches overnight and that is what is happening with the life of Ted Williams. When I began to hear of multiple job offers for the man (Cleveland Cavaliers, Kraft Foods etc…) I couldn’t help but say a little prayer for Ted.Â
You see, there is a reason Ted was living on the streets and destitute. He admitted to the fact that drinking, drugging and several felony arrests had led to his downfall. Ted’s own thinking, decisions and subsequent actions led to his homeless state of being. I’ve dealt with a fair share of “Ted’s” over the years.
The little prayer I said for Ted went something like this, “Dear Lord may the reason for this man’s good fortune be because of you and if it is, help him stay close to you and please don’t let the world take it away from him.”
This morning, on the “Today” show, Ted credited God for his turnaround. He related that during the successful years of his life he always took credit for everything and never gave it a thought to think God had anything to do with it. He had taken the good stuff in life for granted and then started drinking and drugging and the rest is, as they say, history (my interpretation).  Then, obviously because of his decisions, he had reached a point where the only hope was to begin praying to God like his “Mommy” told him to. Then in a about 1 minute (the length of the video taken of him panhandling on the streets of Columbus and sharing his beautiful voice with the world) his prayers were answered and his life has been turned upside down in an unbelievable way. Susan Boyle’s story pales to this one.
As a recovering alcoholic and addict I can only continue to pray that Ted allows God to run the show for him because the world is now “out to get him” albeit with good intentions. I know as an addict the last thing we need is to be placed on a pedestal and Ted is there right now. I also know that years of poor thinking and decision making cannot be changed overnight. It takes a long time and lots of work. I speak from experience.Â
Although Ted needs a place to stay and a job for some income, Ted needs the whole world praying that he may continue to overcome his addiction problem a day at a time by staying close and not letting go of God.
Trust me on this one…
And yes God definitely had His hand in all of this but He’s got to be scratching His head over how we’ve already named our next “American Idol” winner and the competition doesn’t start for another 2 weeks. 🙂
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay, I related so much…I was on radio in Columbus…I had great ratings and noteriety…that’s where I started smoking pot. I had a ton of success in media, and of course “I” was the reason and God? Then 35 years later, after living on …Park Av in NYC, I was left for dead in a pool of my own blood, at a crack house in Fairborn. God picked me up and carried me out. Today I run a Sober Living House on Troy St. It’s a long way from my personal insanity in NYC. And, God has been so incredibly good to me. A six figure income is no longer important. Limos filed with cocaine and prostitues…where had my soul and conscious gone too? The child had grown, the dreams had flown, and I had become comfortably numb. Today, I know my grander schemes were really hallucinations. I know who holds me close and I walk with HIM everyday. To God be the glory, great things he hath done.
Jay, my take on this is that Ted’s story is an important one. God’s hand is in this but then His hand is in everything isn’t it? What has impressed me is something that I see in everyone that experiences a working recovery from addictiion. It is what I call “Humbility” – the ability to be humble. It is the conscious awareness and greatfulness you have when you realize God has saved you from “death”. It is the acceptance of his grace and forgiveness that compels you to accept his love and change your direction from sin.
Ted expressed his humbility to the nation and the world by telling his story. I believe that God gave him the strength to do that. By revealing how working a program and putting all his trust in his higher power, Ted gave hope to all that are struggling with whatever is keeping them from a relationship with God.