Why is it that some adults and some children appreciate all that they are and all that they have while others pity themselves and complain about their circumstances?
The positive and grateful ones seem to have an attitude and a belief that transcends life and this world. They have a purpose. They see beyond. There seems to be a common thread that unites them. They give because they want to make a difference.
I just found out about a boy by the name of Mattie Stepanek. He was one of these brave messengers who had an adversity that only served as fuel to power his message. Mattie Stepanek had a rare form of muscular dystrophy. He was as born in 1990 and he passed on in 2004 right before he turned fourteen. I am immediately reminded of the phrase that “only the good die young.”
Apparently Mattie had been on Oprah and had become an inspiration for her and for so many. As I watched a rerun of an interview that he had with Oprah yesterday, I found my eyes welling up with tears. It was strange. I felt sad because he was gone and I was thinking that I wished that I could have met him. The longer I watched and listened, the more I began to realize that my tears were not born of sadness, they were coming more from a place down deep inside of me; A place that Mattie had just touched with his message.
It was strange. I am not much of a TV watcher but for some reason I happened to turn on the TV right when the rerun of the interview with Oprah and Mattie was playing. As I watched him and listened to his words, I saw the kind of innocence that only a child has. Then I heard a message that sounded almost biblical. The message he was sharing was earnest and yet profound. It was as though he was speaking from the perspective of someone who lived on this earth a very long time.
I found myself feeling an unbelievable lifting of my spirit. His words were so simple but so profound. Mattie is the kind of hero that is never forgotten. I was so moved by his words and his strength and his goodness and his insight that I ordered two of the “Heartsong” books that he wrote.
I suggest you check out this site and share Mattie’s message with all who you can. More people need to hear that being a loving and generous peacemaker is what life should be all about. In addition, Mattie’s mom’s book is now available. Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs
