To Inspire:

His name is Delphonso. He was standing outside our office building with a cardboard sign asking for money to help him with rent. I was in my car headed into our parking garage, but our eyes met and I was within 5 yards of him, so I pulled over and rolled down my window. It would have been rude to do anything else.

We had a really good conversation. Delphonso is 39 and is a graduate of Eastmoor Academy. He has three sons with two women, neither of which he married. The second one had just kicked him out of their apartment a week ago and he was between jobs, so he found himself on the street. His mom lives in a retirement community out in Plain City, and he had gone there a couple of times that week to take a shower and wash his clothes.

Delphonso was bright, articulate, and very polite but I could tell he was struggling – he appeared to me to be depressed and on the edge of hopelessness. I gave him the cash in my wallet but that wasn’t really what Delphonso needed. He needed encouragement and he needed hope. I asked about his faith, and he said he was a Christian but had gotten away from praying, reading the Bible, or having any real relationship with God. I asked questions about his life, the frustrations he was facing, and the hopelessness he was battling. In other words, I listened. And after he had shared for some time, I responded. I told him that God loved him and had a plan for his life. I told him that it was clear to me he had many gifts and skills that he could use to work and help his family and himself move forward in life. I encouraged him to live each day with gratitude and to do one thing each day to move his life forward. As our conversation began to conclude I asked if I could pray with him and he said yes – and so I led him in prayer. I asked God to give him strength and a desire to move forward in life. To believe that better days were ahead and to trust God to work in his life.

As I drove off, Delphonso was smiling and standing up straight. It was only a 15-minute conversation, but it made such a difference for him – and for me. I realized that while I couldn’t solve Delphonso’ s problems, I could listen and encourage and pray. And in that moment that was what he needed.

This isn’t a “look at me” story – I’ve driven past many Delphonos in my life and not stopped to help. No, I write this to remind all of us of what people really need in life – to be noticed, affirmed, encouraged, and loved. To be reminded of their dignity and their greatness. And this is something we all can do for each other. No skill required; just a willingness to take a little time and do a little listening and encouraging.

Who is the Delphonso in your life? Maybe it’s someone you see on the street but maybe it’s your nephew or granddaughter, or a close friend or work colleague. Why not take a moment to engage with them, ask about their life, and find out where their brokenness is. Then use your words and your heart to help heal that brokenness, even if for a moment. What you do may seem small – but to that person it will feel huge. Remember the story about the little boy throwing starfish back into the ocean. When asked what difference he could possibly make given the thousands of starfish on the beach, he said, “I can’t help all of them, but I can help this one.”

Life…it’s such a gift. Let’s live lives of listening, caring, and encouragement. Lives of love. And if we really get down to it, isn’t that the real reason we’re here?

Have a great weekend!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner & Co-Founder