Discovering the Gifts in Others

As most of you know, I'm a film buff. When Susan and I rent DVD's, we not only watch the film but we'll often watch the special features -- the brief documentary on the making of the film. Director's comments. Interviews with the actors. Since I used to make short films and lived near L.A. for 27 years, I became fascinated with the craft of filmmaking. What we saw last night particularly moved my heart.

We rented "Antwone Fisher," which was the directorial debut of Denzel Washington. It's based on a true story of an African American young man who joined the Navy, got in fights because of his anger problem and ended up in the Navy's psychiatrist office. Denzel played the psychiatrist. After three consecutive counseling sessions , Antwone finally broke his silence and began to tell his horrendous story of childhood abuse and neglect. It is a powerful film of a man overcoming his past -- and the bond that occurs between Antwone and his psychiatrist, who became more like a father to him than a therapist.

The highlight of the special features section was the lengthy interview of the real Antwone Walker, as he told the story of how the film came to be. After getting out of the Navy he worked as a security guard and felt this urge to tell his story. He eventually attended up a screen writing class at a church in L.A. When his teacher began to read Antwone's story, he contacted a film producer at Fox Studies and told of the talent this young man had. The producer met Antwone and gave him a huge break -- he gave Antwone an office at Fox, taught him how to write on a computer and paid him for a year to write the script. After 41 drafts, Antwone produced a screenplay that won over the studio and within time Denzel Washington came on board -- both as co-star and director.

I just wonder about what Antwone Walkers are in our lives -- in a classroom of kids we're teaching, in our neighborhood. Or perhaps a co-worker. They have a latent talent just waiting to be released. And they need someone like us to take time out to recognize this God-given talent and encourage them to use it.

I'll always remember the English professor in my freshman class at Ventura Junior College -- 35 years ago. He wrote just a few words on a paper that I had turned in -- something about how I expressed myself well in writing. Those 6 or 7 words went so far in giving me the boost to write some more.

Consider what these words of confidence from a writing teacher did for Antwone Walker -- and for all those who were deeply moved by the film telling his story. And then think of how a few words we give to those around us may impact their lives more than we could ever imagine.

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. - Eph. 4:29, NLT

Jim