We Only Need One Person To Believe in Us ( A Lesson From My Grandfather)

By: Pastor Mike Matthews

A million people have not believed in me. Doubted my gifts, talents, and intelligence. But one man did. One man cheered me on when doctors, coaches, teachers, and peers did not. That man was my grandfather.

I was in the third grade the first time called me a “crippled retard” that didn't belong in the school. I ran home because the school was near my house. As I sat on the porch crying, my grandfather pulled up( he just returned from dropping me off at school)

“Michael! Why are you here and why are you crying?”

Through snot bubbles, “Pap, they made fun of me and called me retarded!”

My pap put his arm around me and said, “People will always doubt you. But, you keep showing up and proving you have what it takes. You quit now, you'll quit forever. Go back and show them who you are.”

I went back and told the bully I belonged and I bopped him in his nose. We go on to become best friends( a story to be told on a different day).

Here's what my grandfather hardwired in me. When a single person believes in you, rejection is merely a speed bump on the journey to your dreams.

My pap was at every Parent-teacher meeting. Every soccer game. Every karate match. Every football game. Out of college, he welcomed me home after each job interview told me no.

I didn't give up because my Father figure believed I could do anything.

The Lord is that way too for us. It took me 10 years to get my first lead pastorate. The only ones to believe in my calling was my pap, myself and Jesus.

When I got voted in as pastor, I called my pap and he said, “Mike, I don't get why you want to be a pastor, but I knew it would happen. Nothing can stop you!”

Saints, I pray you have a person like this. If not, lean on Jesus as that person.

Go be that person for your children, spouses, co-workers and friends. Point them to the God of the possible and purpose.