A Real difference

My 30 posts in 30 days of November has included a daily gratitude segment.  Today my entire post is on my daily gratitude because it is lengthy (but so worth it!).  Today my gratitude is for people who REALLY and TRULY make a difference.  Real people who do what the rest of us strive to do.  People who have changed their "spots", in a manner of speaking.  Those who have worked through their adversity and come out on the side of grace.  Do you know HOW HARD that is?  How much energy, effort, fortitude, determination, discipline, and motivation it takes to really change the fibers of your being? Of course you do!  I know how many of those "doing words" it takes to try to change the ugly, but in my case, I'm a definite work in progress. (I can't even lose 5 pounds these days, much less change a real issue!)  This post is dedicated to the one example I know intimately.  

Meet Victor Hall.

Victor came into my life via my daughter, Jenn.  He is her husband and the father of our precious grandson, Christian, and our son-in-law.  And he is now a dedicated and devoted man of God.

Stubbornly, painfully and sometimes defiantly, Victor has struggled and stretched himself to fine tune his life so that it is Christ based and faithful, poised and dignified, filled with love and most of all, graced through devotion.  And he worked hard and faithfully to get where he is today!  And I think Victor would agree with me when I say, it wasn't an easy or a quick trip, and it certainly wasn't without it's hurdles, tears and milestones.

A couple of years ago (or so) Victor began working on an idea to get "regular" people interested in finding their own grace.  (you know, share the love kind of thing).  But they needed a segue, a lure (sometimes a hook, line AND sinker) , something they could relate to in the beginning to lead them to water that so they would be inclined to take a drink. Victor is a mix master of music and has been for decades.  He is a retired basketball player, a current basketball coach, and has access to young men (and their families) who need some guidance and something to believe in. He is also a physical trainer and has several degrees supporting his hard work and dedication to understanding how the physical body works and responds to certain stimuli.   So, Victor put everything he was an expert in together, and invented the "Soul Food" series.  Three times a week he writes a wonderfully compelling, spiritually based message that he correlates to main stream music.  Several times a week, that message is carried into their business venue "Need More Fitness" where the physical body is invited to join the spiritual feeding for a complete and wonderful experience.  First of all, WHO thinks of this?!  Secondly, he does it every time flawlessly, smoothly and appropriately with the grace and dignity his spirit moves him to share.  There has not been one time that I have not been left with sincere "food for thought" and a renewed point of view, and peace of mind and spirit (after I digest it all, that is).

Mind you, we all got a little more serious with our faith as his son and our grandson, Christian was providing us a grandiose reason to "get right" with our missions this past winter.  I watched this man (and his wife) offer his only son up to God through his strength and tears because he so honestly believed that was what he was meant to do.  And he made that offer with a pure heart.  (the evidence of the changed man).  Through that experience (and then some) Victor has renewed his dedication in sharing his faith with others who do not have the information already and are searching, or have for some reason strayed away from it.  He introduces "newbies" to spiritual guidance and mentors them through their questions and concerns, and accompanies them down their path until they are ready for a solo tour.  And he does it with his own swagger.  He has come up with a unique, cool and effective idea to invite people to further their potential.  And he is doing it through a calling that he believes in with his entire being.  And he is making a difference, a REAL difference.  And I am grateful! 

Check him out here!

Victor, I might be your biggest (silent) fan.  I love you.

Blessings to you all!