A single mom struggled to take care of her children, especially James. When he was born, James had a birth defect that caused his feet to turn inward. Without costly surgery, appliances and therapy, the medical experts doubted that he would ever walk normally.  

 

There were no funds for the treatment. As James grew up, his strange walk caused him to be teased by other children. Out of desperation, the mother began putting James' shoes on the wrong feet. Having the left shoe on the right foot and the right shoe on the left foot caused him to force his feet outward.   Patiently, night after night, the mother encouraged her son as she exercised him.  

 

It worked.  

 

By the time he reached high school, James could not only walk, he could run well enough to qualify for the football team. Inspired, he played with more heart and more determination than most of the others. His efforts did not go unnoticed. He was offered a full scholarship to a major university.  

 

His newfound mobility and popularity brought with them new opportunities and new temptations. James chose poorly. Even though his college education would be paid for by others, his mother now had to use her limited funds to bail James out of trouble and out of jail. On her last trip to the jail, out of money, she spoke to her son and said, "I taught you how to walk but not where to walk".

 

That was what it took for him. Only a few years later, he would win the Heisman Trophy and become one of the best players in professional ball, a movie star and a corporate spokesman. James Orenthal Simpson, known to most as "OJ", had finally learned how and where to walk.

 

Or had he?

 

In all of your coaching, and in all of the encouragement you give people, make sure that their "where" is intact. The "where" for most of us is our vision for ourselves, our goals. Too many people have not had the benefits you and I enjoy, including having had someone come alongside and help direct our steps in the right direction.

 

"In all of your getting, get wisdom." What was Solomon talking about when he wrote those words? Wisdom is the combination of education and experience. We combine what we have learned with what we have done and wisdom grows within us.

 

Give others the benefit of your wisdom!