Tell Your Story:What Is It? It Could Help Someone Whose On The Edge Of Giving Up!
Normally, after someone shares a story of triumph over dire circumstances, people have one of the following reactions: (1) “They sure did go through a whole lot;” (2) “If they did it, so can I and I coming out of this mess;” or (3) “It worked for them, but it can’t for me.” The majority of people will have the first two reactions and will be moved to action. Therefore, we need to share our story with others because people tend to feel like they are the only ones going through a certain situation or be too embarrassed to ask for help. Everyone has a story that they could share with others to motivate them to keep going until they hit the VICTORY MARK. Recently, Curtis Mann, a former professional football player, was inducted into the Class of 2012 NFL Hall of Fame. He shared how his life went from very, very bad to very, very good. His story was so heart-wrenching and compelling that I wanted to pull out the tissues and hug him. This man and his mother went through several horrific life ordeals.You can view Martin’s speech on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCYpF1OsklA . Here are some transcribed parts of the speech adapted from the article “Curtis Martin’s Hall Of Fame Speech Was Actually Pretty Touching” by Jack Dickey:
"Most of these guys have lived for the game of football and eat, breath, sleep football. I was someone who was somewhat forced to play football. I can remember draft day like it was yesterday. My family and I were sitting around and were watching the draft. The phone rings and it's Bill Parcells. I answer the phone and say "Hello," and Parcells says, "Curtis, we want to know if you're interested in being a New England Patriot?" I said, "Yes, yes, sir." And we hang up the phone. As soon as we hang up the phone I turn around to everyone and I said, "Oh my gosh, I do not want to play football."
No, you're laughing, but this is the truth. I turned around and said, "I don't want to play football. I don't even know that I like football enough to try to make a career out of it." My pastor at the time was a guy by the name of Leroy Joseph, and I'm so glad he was there to talk some sense into me. He says, "Curtis, look at it this way, man." He said, "Maybe football is just something that God is giving you to do all those wonderful things that you say you want to do for other people." I tell you, it was like a light bulb came on in my head.
That became my connection with football. I don't know if he wouldn't have said that to me if football would have gotten out of me what it got out of me. I definitely wouldn't be standing here. And ever since he said that, I knew the only way I was going to be successful at this game called football is if I played for a purpose that was bigger than the game itself because I knew that the love for the game just wasn't in my heart.
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Let me tell you about how I got started playing. So I grew up in a pretty bad neighborhood. But the household that I lived in was even worse. I had a father who I love him dearly and he's passed and gone on, but he was my guy before he died. But when I was 5 years old, I remember watching him torture my mother, I mean, literally. I don't necessarily have notes, so I'm going to bare my soul and just bear with me….”
Martin’s speech was very long, but there was a happy ending to it. He transformed in his thinking.When we are delivered from deep, dark places into a place of abundance of prosperity and peace, we have to change our thinking. If not, then we will land up in a worse position: “I will lead the blind by a way that they do not know. I will lead them in paths they do not know. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. And I will make the bad places smooth. These are the things I will do and I will not leave them (Isaiah 42:16 NLV).” UNTIL NEXT TIME, GOD HAS YOUR VERY BEST INTERESTS AT HEART. HE LOVES YOU VERY MUCH AND I LOVE YOU TOO.
"Most of these guys have lived for the game of football and eat, breath, sleep football. I was someone who was somewhat forced to play football. I can remember draft day like it was yesterday. My family and I were sitting around and were watching the draft. The phone rings and it's Bill Parcells. I answer the phone and say "Hello," and Parcells says, "Curtis, we want to know if you're interested in being a New England Patriot?" I said, "Yes, yes, sir." And we hang up the phone. As soon as we hang up the phone I turn around to everyone and I said, "Oh my gosh, I do not want to play football."
No, you're laughing, but this is the truth. I turned around and said, "I don't want to play football. I don't even know that I like football enough to try to make a career out of it." My pastor at the time was a guy by the name of Leroy Joseph, and I'm so glad he was there to talk some sense into me. He says, "Curtis, look at it this way, man." He said, "Maybe football is just something that God is giving you to do all those wonderful things that you say you want to do for other people." I tell you, it was like a light bulb came on in my head.
That became my connection with football. I don't know if he wouldn't have said that to me if football would have gotten out of me what it got out of me. I definitely wouldn't be standing here. And ever since he said that, I knew the only way I was going to be successful at this game called football is if I played for a purpose that was bigger than the game itself because I knew that the love for the game just wasn't in my heart.
[...]
Let me tell you about how I got started playing. So I grew up in a pretty bad neighborhood. But the household that I lived in was even worse. I had a father who I love him dearly and he's passed and gone on, but he was my guy before he died. But when I was 5 years old, I remember watching him torture my mother, I mean, literally. I don't necessarily have notes, so I'm going to bare my soul and just bear with me….”
Martin’s speech was very long, but there was a happy ending to it. He transformed in his thinking.When we are delivered from deep, dark places into a place of abundance of prosperity and peace, we have to change our thinking. If not, then we will land up in a worse position: “I will lead the blind by a way that they do not know. I will lead them in paths they do not know. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. And I will make the bad places smooth. These are the things I will do and I will not leave them (Isaiah 42:16 NLV).” UNTIL NEXT TIME, GOD HAS YOUR VERY BEST INTERESTS AT HEART. HE LOVES YOU VERY MUCH AND I LOVE YOU TOO.
Total Comments 3
Comments
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Additional Commentary
My father and I were talking about the speech concerning Curtis Martin. One of the several things I loved that he pointed that is a lesson to all. His pastor helped him walk into his destiny by encouraging him to go into football when he had no interest. We need people who will see our potential and help us win. Had his pastor not been that kind of person. This story wouldn't have been shared at this appropriate time and place.Posted 08-07-2012 at 06:52 AM by Nice Lady 
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Further Points
You have to use discretion. You cannot share your story with everyone depending on the circumstances because not everyone can handle it, they may misuse it, or distort it. Only share your story when you are divinely led to. It doesn't matter who doesn't like it. You just helped someone going through a tough time especially if God told you to. We are God-pleasers. We still are respectful and love authority and others, but we have to do what he says. You may save several others by your obedience. It may not seem so at the time, but you will find out in years to come.Posted 08-07-2012 at 07:08 AM by Nice Lady
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**Correction To First Comment Box: My Dad pointed out the stuff about the pastor helping him. I was rushing and typing.
Posted 08-08-2012 at 04:46 AM by Nice Lady
