The Animal

   

Good Evening.  What a beautiful weekend we had here in PA to be outside and enjoy our friends and neighbors.

This past week a famous wrestler from the 80's passed away.  His name was George "The Animal" Steele.  For those of you who have no idea who The Animal was, he was a unique man.  He appeared to have the IQ of a small child, and the body hair of a Sasquatch.  His tongue was green, and his favorite snack was chewing on the corner turnbuckle.  He often wrestled as a "bad guy" but occasionally found himself cheered by the crowd.  

To look at him you would realize the best thing to do is put your head down and walk on the other side of the street.  Many of us as kids would go to wrestling events and be glad there was a guardrail separating us from a crazy monster.

That man's real name was Jim Myers.  Jim earned a degree in science from Michigan State, and a masters degree from Central Michigan.  He became a teacher, wrestling coach, and football coach and was later named to the Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame.  Mr. Myers was also a devoted Christian, husband, and father.  He was known as a kind man outside of the ring who loved to mentor and teach.

Like "The Animal", so many of us have been judged by what we look like on the outside.  I know I have.  And I know it has happened to Tyler.  Some people may have looked at Tyler's outward appearance, or heard his noises, and decided things about him without looking inside his heart.  Its a shame because they would be missing one of the most joyous people they could ever know.  They could never know how such a big heart could come in such a small outer package.

It's a lesson that Tyler can teach us all; that outside appearances are no way to judge the heart of a person.  Outside appearances do not measure a person's warmth, sense of humor, or intelligence.  We cannot experience their true gifts unless we take the time to know what is on the inside.  

Let's treat each other well not for what is on the outside, but the beauty that is within.

Be well and God bless.    Tom