Margaret Simon made her way from Lebanon to Toledo, Ohio in 1905.  She got married and had 10 children.  Amos, the fifth child, was bit by a rat and almost died.  Margaret told God that if he’d spare her son then she would go door-to-door for a year and beg for pennies for the poor.  After her son’s miraculous recovery, she did just that, taking the streetcar to the end of the line each day, than working her way back home. 

When Amos grew up, he wanted to become a doctor, but lacking money for school, he instead became a comedian.  He changed his name to Danny Thomas.  He got married and had a daughter whom he named Margaret, but nicknamed Marlo.

Danny was desperate to make ends meet.  He cried out to God that if God helped him, he’d build a shrine in God’s honor.  After this, he met a friend in the radio business who got Danny bit parts.  Soon, Danny was given a TV program, “The Danny Thomas Show” which lasted for 11 seasons!

Danny built that shrine for God.  It’s called St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.  It completely covers the costs for families who have children with cancer.  Because of its research, survival rate for children with cancer has gone from 20 percent to 80 percent!

Danny’s daughter Marlo now works tirelessly for the cause. 

All of this is because of Danny’s grandmother’s prayers and actions for the poor.  She affected generations.

Sunday I’m preaching on “Celebrate Generations” from Ruth 4:11-22.  We’ll look at “Be Part of the Family Legacy,” verses 11-12; and “Be Fruitful,” verses 13-22.  The story of Ruth is a ray of sunshine in the dark ages of Israel’s history.  Please come Sunday and bathe in the sunshine of this delightful story that has affected generations!  And let’s learn how to affect our families for generations to come!

Love,

Jim Meek