Adapted from Bob Reccord,
On Mission, May-June 2000
In being “Ronald” for the McDonald’s Corporation, one of the appearances they do is visiting children in community hospitals. One restriction that is strictly adhered to is that “Ronald” is not allowed to touch people to avoid germ transfer. Breaking this rule could mean job termination.
One day he heard the weak voice of a sick child calling out: “Ronald … Ronald.” Pushing the door open, he saw a boy of 5 hooked up to every machine imaginable with family members surrounding the bed.
Quietly, he walked over to the boy and asked his name. “Billy,” came the weak response. Ronald did a few magic tricks as he lay smiling.
Then, just as he was leaving, Billy stopped him and softly asked, “Ronald, will you hold me?” Smiling, he told Billy that he could not hold him right now, but he could take a minute and color a picture with him.
When the picture was finished, he started for the door only to be stopped again: “Ronald, will you hold me?”
His heart cried, “yes!” but his mind shouted “no!” Which voice should he listen to? He could think of no reasonable response that would allow him to leave the room of a dying boy.
He thought up an excuse to get everyone to leave and asked the nurse to turn away, as he reached out his arms and gingerly lifted the frail frame of the boy.
For nearly an hour, Billy lay in “Ronald’s” arms as they laughed and cried together. Billy talked about things that worried him – his little brother might get lost coming home from kindergarten without the aid of his older brother; or who would make sure his dog would find the chew bones he hid somewhere in the house.
Later, through the tear-streaked makeup, he gave Billy’s mom and dad his real name and phone number (another act that could lead to termination), and asked that he be contacted if there was anything else he could do for them.
Less than 48 hours later, he received a call from Billy’s mom saying that little Billy had died. She called to express their thanks and to say that after he had left the room, Billy said to her, “Mama, I don’t care anymore whether I see Santa this year … because I was held by Ronald McDonald”.
Similar to the Good Samaritan, this man took some personal risks in order to make a difference in a person’s life that was going through difficult times. I pray that you (and members of your church) will have the strength and wisdom to “take a risk” in ministry to someone God brings into your path.
- RE
SOME THINGS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN ....
FOR YOUNG ADULTS: Creation Restored: The Gospel According to Genesis, releasing in April - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/creation-restored-the-gospel-according-to-genesis-dvd-leader-kit-P005430352
FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Faith Limps; Trusting a Good God in a Broken World by Michael Kelley - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/faith-limps-trusting-a-good-god-in-a-broken-world-dvd-leader-kit-P005471379
COMING NEW BIBLE STUDY CURRICULUM: The Gospel Project, for age 3 through adult, for samples and to sign up for a free trial use - http://gospelproject.com/
FOR ‘BOOMERS’ MINISTRY: A new magazine just for boomers, More Living; read through a preview issue - http://www.lifeway.com/article/more-living-new-lifeway-magazine-urges-boomers-do-what-matters?cid=rdr-moreliving
FOR MEN: Game Plan for Life simulcast with Joe Gibbs & Tony Evans, May 26 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Game-Plan-for-Life-Simulcast?type=events&intcmp=iTeam4-mtx-simulcasts-LWMen-GamePlanSimulcast-20111111
FOR WOMEN: “Every Life is Beautiful” :The October Baby movie Bible Study, - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/every-life-is-beautiful-the-october-baby-bible-study-leader-kit-P005508071
FOR WOMEN: Going Beyond simulcast with Priscilla Shirer, May 4-5 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Going-Beyond-Simulcast?type=events&intcmp=iTeam4-mtx-simulcasts-LWWomen-Shirer-GBSimulcast-20111111
FOR LEADER TRAINING: Transform: Changing Lives Through Teaching Conference, September 22, Hebron Baptist Church, Dacula - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Leadership-Training-Transform-2012-Dacula-GA
FOR LEADER TRAINING: Teach the Bible for Life Conference, September 28 & 29, Nashville, TN - http://www.lifeway.com/n/product-family/teach-the-bible-for-life?type=events
FOR EDUCATION MINISTERS: Excel 2012 Conference, September 24-26, Nashville, TN - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Leadership-Training-Excel-2012-Nashville-TN
