I first met Danny while working for an organization that advocates for people with developmental disabilities. It was my first job out of college, and with a degree in business, I had no idea what I was doing.  I recognize this as a “God School” turning point. It would begin a 30-year journey that would shape how I think and how I operate. Danny would be my first professor.

To learn more about people with disabilities I would visit local programs in my 22-county area. In one of my first program visits I was sitting in the back of a class observing. This visit was something that I will never forget. I saw a 30-year-old man in a wheelchair working hard on something. As I watched I noticed he had a block of wood with attached sandpaper striking a board. Each strike was forced and took immense energy due to his cerebral palsy.  My first impulse was pity and thinking “poor fellow”.  At break when the teacher introduced me to Danny, he looked up, gave me a smile and returned to sanding the board. I pulled up a chair and admired his work. Each strike was labored.  Seldom did they hit the same place on the board. For almost a year I would stop by to check on Danny and his progress on the board. Each time, he gave me the best he had, his smile.

On my last visit his teacher said, “Danny has something for you.”  With a smile on his face and eyes that said it all…Danny gave me the cutting board he had been working on for 9 months.  What started as an ordinary piece of board became a treasure from a quadriplegic, non-verbal man named Danny.

Over the years I have received many gifts but none so costly.  I still have the cutting board that Danny gave me.  It’s retired now sitting in my office with other priceless treasures.

Lessons from Danny:

•        “Every soul matters to God.” Danny’s value, like all of us is derived from God, not what the world “thinks” of us.

•        Danny desired to have an opportunity to make a difference. This Principle was taught to me by several hundred men & women (professors) with disabilities for 30 years. Danny made a difference in my life using a piece of wood.

•        The value of a gift is not determined by the price tag but by the impact it has on your life. How many times have I avoided or been too busy to give the gift of encouragement or take time to listen?

•        Everyone can make a contribution or make a difference.  Danny did not compare himself to others. He used the skills and abilities to give a gift from his heart. He was not giving a gift to impress or get something in return. It was a gift of love

•        Danny’s gift was a non-conditional gift of love.   

I stood there looking at Danny…and the precious gift. I am Blessed by his friendship and encouragement.

 Proverbs 18:16 “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.”

The greatest gift ever given was from our Heavenly Father. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18 This gift will change your life FOREVER! What will you do with it?