I went to New York City in June of this year. On the last day I visited Times Square. I sat in the middle of the intersection of Broadway and 7th where the tables were. I was just chilling when a brother approached me. He’s age was maybe 30, his clothes were dirty, and he looked like he couldn’t go any further. “Can you give me some money?” I said no. “But I’m hungry.” I looked around to see if there was a fast food restaurant. I asked him where’s the McDonalds? He said, “There’s a sandwich place over on 6th street.” I thought, bump that. I said I’m not going that far. Then he proceeded to tell me he needed to change his underwear and needed a bath, he could go to the salvation army. I was thinking, really? He told me of his medical condition. I stopped him right there.
I stood up and looked him in his eye, “What’s your name?” He told me. I asked in a stern voice, “What’s wrong with you man?” He said, “I don’t know?” I told him, “Nobody is supposed to take care of you. What are you doing out here begging these people? They are not obligated to help you because you are asking them for money. Look around. You are the only one here in this condition.” He was listening with big eyes, I didn’t know if he was going to cry or not. I kept going and took my index and middle finger and slightly tapped him on his chest. “What’s in here?” He said, “God.” I thought well at least he is listening to me. I said, “Yea that’s right, but go a little deeper, what’s in here?” tapping him on his chest again. He said, “What?” I said, “There is a man in there somewhere! You were not born to be out here begging. You are a man, so start acting like it. Go get you a job and take care of yourself.” I then reached in my wallet, took out $10 and gave it to him. “Now go handle your business!” He walked off but he wasn’t slinking like he was before. I thought, that’s that.
I sat back down. Twenty minutes later he came back, but this time he had a twinkle in his eye. He was carrying something. I was dumbfounded when he got closer. He said, “I’m going to sell these.” He had gone somewhere and came back fighting like a man. He had eight 20oz Pepsi colas, ice cold in a case box. I was so shocked, I blurted out, “I know you are not expecting me to buy one? That would be double dipping.” He laughed. What, he has a sense of humor and can laugh, what happened? He said, “No, I know you are not going to buy one. I’m going to sell these and make me some money.” He wanted to show me, that he WAS a man. I congratulated him and said, “That’s how you do it, I think you got it now.” I wished him well and he walk to the next table and tried to sell a Pepsi, then the next table, then the next table. He had the same sales pitch as if he was asking for money. I ran and got him. I said, “This is not your crowd and you are not supposed to ask everyone. Go somewhere and post up in a good spot. Then use your sales voice and say out loud, I got Pespi’s, I got cold Pespi’s to sale, would you like one.” He walked away, but this time he had a determined walk like he was going to do a business deal. When I said, “Go handle your business!” He took it literally and went and started a business!
The young man still had on the same clothes, he was still dirty, he must have forgotten all about his hunger. This time he wasn’t some little boy lost looking for his mother. He was a tiger ready to pounce. He was determined to be a man. I lit a raging fire in him. I don’t know how long it will last because New York City is a tough place, but on this day, he went from losing to winning instantaneously. I have never seen a transformation like that before by a man in my life. He mentioned God being inside him. That sure was God.
Now its time to light a fire under some of you. If a beggar can change into an entrepreneur in a split second, any of you can do it. Step up and take the challenge. Once you do, this Co-op will make builders out of you. There is a man in there somewhere! Coach T
