Follow Jesus Christ's Example
-Sam Sackett

My group got to spend one evening with Bernard and Ruth Dudley. They are a fascinating couple who have lived through much of the turmoil that has taken place
in South Africa. They live in Washington, D.C., where they will stay until their return home to Capetown, South Africa.

The 12 of us sat in the Dudleys' living room and were served freshly baked cherry cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream. This was a truly a delightful evening. During our discussions, Bernard told us a story about his first visit to Kansas. Many years ago one man in Kansas City handed him one of life's truths that he remembers to this day. The moral was simple. But the effect was forever multiplying.
 
The person that influenced him was not a politician, or an eloquent public speaker, but rather an ordinary shoe shiner. While polishing Bernard's shoes, this man explained to Bernard that his job was not shining shoes. It was sharing the love of Jesus to everyone who sat in his chair. If that meant listening, then he listened. If that meant giving advice, then he would give advice. And if that meant telling them how much God loved them, then that is what he did.

The shoe shiner pointed to a young man standing nearby. He said that the man was not only shining shoes for God, but he was also training other young men to shine shoes for Jesus. The lifelong lesson that remains with Bernard is this: Work with what you have and help others to do the same.