With
every pair of eyes of the Silver-Top Seniors group focused on Blaster
Jackson, his continuing words poured from a tender heart. His burden
for reaching out to teenagers with God's promise of peace and purpose
in these chaotic technology-flooded times caught everyone off guard.
The mood of the room of 40 or so people forced open the hearts of
Blaster's listeners and began inner cries to join his cause.
“Now
I know what cher thinkin'. You're sayin' to yourself, I don't know
much about today's teens. Most of the time I get edgy just being
around them for very long. I think of them as a blood-pumping time
bomb, and I wouldn't know what to do or what not to say. I don't know
a bunch of Bible verses to show the teen. I once heard that some of
them can't read and probably can't write their own name.”
Blaster
continued his speaking with, “Now if that theres what yer
thinkin', you're perfect for the job.” For emphasis, Blaster
lightly clapped his hands together twice. “Do you see, we're a
perfect match! The teens don't have to answer some kind of
interrogation from us, or listen to any rules. All they need to do is
slowly share with us, what their world is like. Do we need to be
ready with lots of Bible verses we figure only a preacher would know?
Absolutely not! We only need to listen with compassion.”
Someone
clapped their hands a few times and then spoke up, in halting words.
Beulah Radner said, “Mr. Blaster. I can't do much in this
wheelchair, but I sure can listen! Can I help ya listen? Can I help
ya with the teens? I want God to use me, in whatever way He can.
Would ja let me help? I'll try my best, honest I will.”
History
books record stacks of powerful speeches and catchy phrases, but
Beulah Radner's words most certainly must rank up there with the
best: “I want God to use me, in whatever way He can. Would ja let
me help? I'll try my best, honest I will.”
Blaster
Jackson nodded to the group's chairman, Bob Tarpin, and took his
seat. Bob stood to his feet and was so moved by what had been said
and done, he took a drink of water and cleared his throat twice,
before speaking. His beginning words held great praise for Blaster's
presentation and even Beulah's offer to help.
Bob
began, “Maybe there's some real truth to the 'God gave us two ears
but only one mouth – because He wanted us to do twice as much
listening', rule of thumb. Certainly, God wants us to be super
zealous in our listening, not only to those He has put in our field
of harvest, but firstly to Him and the beats of His heart, often
recorded in His written word.”
“Before
we have our closing prayer, I want you to try something. When you get
home and prepare for bed, read some scripture, maybe a whole chapter.
Then by yourself, pray with Beulah's thoughts: I want God to use me,
in whatever way He can. Would ja let me help? I'll try my best,
honest I will.' Then spend some quiet time in your prayer, and
practice your listening... listening as Heaven leads you in seeing
your part to play in all that we've been reminded about, tonight.”
