by Tyler Perry, writer and actor
This morning I awoke and was so frustrated about all of the stuff that I’m dealing with in trying to get this studio open. I was about to open my mouth and start complaining when I remembered something that happened to me about a year ago.
I was walking to my car when this woman who appeared to be homeless started walking towards me. I’m ashamed to say this but I thought, ‘I don’t feel like being hustled today.’ Then I got quickly convicted. I felt guilty so I started digging in my pocket for some money. As she got closer I noticed that she had the kindest eyes that I had ever seen. As I was reaching into my pocket she started to speak. I thought, ‘Here goes the sales pitch’. She said ‘Excuse me sir, I need some shoes. Can you help me?’ My eyes filled with water because I remember being out on the streets and having only one pair of run over shoes. I was taken aback for a second.
I took her inside the studio and had my wardrobe people find shoes in her size. As she put the shoes on she started crying, praising God and thanking Jesus, and saying, ‘My feet are off the ground! My feet are off the ground!’ Several of the wardrobe people started crying. I was crying. But I never forgot those words. ‘My feet are off the ground!’ I thought, ‘Wow! All she wanted was some shoes.’ She quickly disappeared and never asked me for a dime. I realized that I still had the money in my hand so I went out looking for her. She was gone just that quick so I looked all around the neighborhood for her. I found her standing on a corner looking down at her shoes, still crying. I was so touched. I asked her how she had gotten homeless. She told me that she had AIDS and that she was waiting to get into a shelter.. She said that her family had turned their backs on her and that she had no place to go, but she knew that God would make a way for her. I said to myself, ‘He just did.’ Her faith and her praise moved me. I took her to a nearby hotel and put her up until she was able to get on her feet. I had someone that worked for me to check on her from time to time and to make sure that she had food and clothes. After about a month or so we lost touch, but I never forgot her.
This past summer I was shooting ‘Daddy’s Little Girls’ and this woman walks up to me smiling. I didn’t recognize her face, but her eyes were familiar.. She had on a really nice dress and her hair was done. It was her! She told me that the little help that I had given her had changed her life. She was in a house now and doing very well.
I said all of that to say this. After I met this woman, every time I think about complaining and mumbling I remember, ‘My feet are off the ground!’
I wanted to share this with you just to let you know that when I say that I am thankful for you, I mean it. And when I say that you are a blessing to me, I mean it. We take so much for granted sometimes that I just wanted all of you to know that I am grateful to God for you everyday. Thank you for being in my life.
I can’t stop listening to this song… it’s really speaking to me in a humbling, “you are all connected because I made you that way” way. And although yes, “this is the good life,” I’m so thankful for another life when this earthly one is complete…
Be inspired.
I’ve never heard this song before. Thanks for posting it! Have a great day.
thank you for this, maggie! chill bumps when its no cooler than 88degrees in this apartment mean this was a great post ;)
Thanks for kicking off my Tuesday reminding me how freakin incredibly blessed I am!! I love that your feet are off the ground too and tour leaping (even if some days its hard) to follow your passions!!
-Kristin
Loved reading this story… Just beautiful!
thanks for sharing this beautiful story, maggie. love the song too :) i appreciate your inspiration to start my day!
Thank you Maggie! Got chills after reading that story. Wonderful to know that there are people in this world with integrity. “My feet are off the ground!” I’ll remember that one. Thanks for the inspiration!!
I love when stories can bring tears to my eyes. Thank you for that.
have a blessed day love:)
gina
Thank you so much for this post! Such a great reminder for me today.
Thank you for this post today. I needed to read it.
thanks for this post! love the song. and love those shoes at the top. cute.
Wow…that story was fantastic and I’ll stop crying now about my “shoe funeral” that I posted about yesterday!
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/11/the-21-purge-day-5endurance-will-be-key.html
If you don’t mind I would like to share this story with my friends on my blog…thanks, Roberta
I LOVE One Republic! And that song is currently my husband and my favorite song to listen to while we’re driving together. It helps us take a moment to contemplate our life and be thankful for all that we have.
Maggie! What a beautiful story; thank you for sharing. Perfect for a month where we are reflecting on the blessings we’ve been given and doing our best to pay them forward to others in God’s name.