Ever feel like there are too many problems, too much injustice, the obstacles are too overwhelming? Anything you do won’t matter or your contribution will be just a drop in the bucket compared to what’s needed. You can’t make a difference. Let someone else with more clout, power, time, and resources give it a go.
Whether you’re a woman, man, grandparent, sibling, laborer, professional, or neighbor, I pray you'll think and act differently after reading this story:
"A grandson of slaves, (this) boy was born in a poor neighborhood of New Orleans known as the "Back of Town." His father abandoned the family when the child was an infant. His mother became a prostitute and the boy and his sister had to live with their grandmother.
Early in life he proved to be gifted for music and with three other kids he sang in the streets of New Orleans. His first gains were coins that were thrown to them.
A Jewish family, Karnofsky, who had emigrated from Lithuania to the USA, had pity for the 7-year-old boy and brought him into their home. Initially giving 'work' in the house, to feed this hungry child. There he remained and slept in this Jewish family's home where, for one of the first times in his life, he was treated with kindness and tenderness.
When he went to bed, Mrs. Karnovsky sang him a Russian lullaby that he would sing with her. Later, he learned to sing and play several Russian and Jewish songs. Over time, this boy became like an adopted son of this family.
The Karnofskys gave him money to buy his first musical instrument, as was the custom in the Jewish families. They sincerely admired his musical talent. Later, when he became a professional musician and composer, he used Jewish melodies in some of his compositions.
The young black boy grew up and wrote a book about this Jewish family who had adopted him in 1907. In memory of this family, and until the end of his life, he wore a Star of David and said that in this family he had learned "how to live real life and determination."
You might recognize his name. This little boy was called Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. Louis Armstrong proudly spoke fluent Yiddish and "Satchmo" is Yiddish for "big cheeks, a nickname some say was given to him by Mrs. Karnofsky!"
(Researched and compiled on June 20, 2020 by Sara Esther Matz Crispe (on FB as Sara Esther Crispe) and reposted here with her permission.)
The first and most beloved version of What a Wonderful World was recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1967.
Can one person make a difference?
Jesus’ answer is yes!
Jesus’ life exemplifies His answer. In Luke 15, He told the parable of the shepherd who left the 99 to find the one that had gone astray. This wasn’t just a fanciful idea He tried to win the crowd with.
He, the Shepherd, left His throne in Heaven to change our eternal destination.
He came to make a difference for you and me. We are the one.
While it’s still day (John 9:4), let’s share the life-changing Good News. The Gospel makes all the difference!
Thank you for sharing this story. It's a great reminder that one person can make a difference and that our actions matter!
Great story, thanks for sharing!