May the heart of Barry Sanders be with you when helping and serving people in need

I help Loan Officers discover the amazing opportunity UNMB Home Loans Inc. has to offer, but I should do more social media posts. Social networks like Linked-In and Facebook are the place to brag about all of our accomplishments, both personal and professional. I have never been one boast or brag, and maybe that’s why I am a lifelong Barry Sanders fan. With this post, I would much rather spotlight Barry Sanders who during the term of his NFL career never once spiked the football to celebrate one of his 109 touchdowns. More on Barry at the close of this short post.

There has been one personal achievement I feel deserves sharing on social media. Two, actually, but my motivation is not to celebrate me. About a year ago, while volunteering for church which feeds the homeless each day, an imposing fellow named James and sporting a vibrant red ZZ Top-style beard approached me to ask if there was someone who could help him create a resume. He wanted to get a job.

Together, over the course of a couple of months of work, many one-on-one coaching sessions on interviewing with prospective employers, hygiene and personal presentation, we endeavored to prepare James to re-enter the workplace. When the time came, he aced an interview with Walmart starting work on a few short days thereafter, but he wasn’t earning enough income to get off the streets. We collaborated again to get James a second job in the accounting department of a hotel chain. He’s doing great and back on his feet.

Then, in May of this year, I was driving and noticed this man, Dave, under a freeway overpass. Dave was sitting in a Padmasana yogo pose with his eyes closed, it almost appeared he was praying when he was taking a nap. ?

I stopped and approached him. I asked him if I could help him in some way. This frail, little old man looked up at me and replied, “Yes, I want to apply for retirement.”

In that moment, I was able to compare James and Dave, two men who knew exactly what they wanted and needed. Over the course of the next five months, Dave and I worked together to prepare Dave to apply for his retirement with the U.S. Social Security Administration. We obtained his birth certificate, state identification, two mobile phones both of which were stolen, clothes, a mailing address, a new bank account, and countless other things too numerous to mention here.

I am thankful to inform that today, after five months of work, Dave will transition from homeless to homed with his own place to live. I am so proud of Dave for knowing exactly what he wanted, had faith and prayed for its achievement for many years thirteen of which were on the streets.

When I stopped to help him, I had no idea he had worked all his life paying into the retirement system, that he prayed every day for help never once disbelieving he would remain destitute and unsheltered forever. And, I didn’t know Dave, that he was a defenseless and vulnerable man who cares for the welfare of others while never once casting blame for falling on hard times. Dave is a classic success story. I am excited to see what his future brings.

After being drafted by the Detroit Lions and at his rookie meet the press press conference, Barry and his fellow rookies were to be introduced to the Detroit press corps. It’s the press so there was a planned photo shoot. I still remember with stunning clarity seeing the photo of Barry standing next to his fellow Lions draftees. Barry was the shortest of them all, but whose heart was bigger than the city of Detroit.

All of the rookies were decked out in expensive suits, gold rings, chains, and other bling, looking like their signing bonuses were completely gassed on them trying to look like a million bucks. They certainly scored with that play. ?

Picture Barry in this group photo wearing nothing but Detroit Lions merch head-to-toe. He had on a Lions sweatshirt, sweatpants, and to top it off, a Detroit Lions trucker hat. No smile, no fist pump, no bling, just Barry and that colossal heart of his on full display. Like James and Barry, his big heart is not obvious, but just below the surface. Barry went on to give a stellar example of giving that has endured for nearly forty years, and still does. ?

And for me too. In a world often marked by indifference, a simple act of heart can illuminate the path to hope. I give the credit to #20. Barry, let me spike for you, just once. You deserve it! ?We are surrounded by people in need. I hope everyone would consider helping that forgotten soul everyone dismisses as lost. They may be one act of heart away from success.