"My Feet Are Off The Ground"

By Tyler Perry: writer and actor


This morning I awoke and was so frustrated about all of the stuff that I'm

dealing with in trying to get this studio open. I was about to open my

mouth and start complaining when I remembered something that happened to

me about a year ago.



On that day, I was walking to my car when this woman who appeared to be

homeless started walking towards me. I'm ashamed to say this but I

thought, "I don't feel like being hustled today."



I felt guilty so I started digging in my pocket for some money. As she got

closer I noticed that she had the kindest eyes that I had ever seen. As I

was reaching into my pocket she started to speak. I thought, "Here goes

the sales pitch". She said "Excuse me sir, I need some shoes. Can you help

me?" I was taken aback...instead of a sob story this woman had asked for

something she genuinely needed.



I took her inside the studio and had my wardrobe people find shoes in her

size. As she put the shoes on she started crying, praising God and saying,

"My feet are off the ground! My feet are off the ground!" Several of the

wardrobe people started crying... I was crying. But I never forgot those

words. "My feet are off the ground!"



I thought, "Wow! All she wanted was some shoes." She quickly disappeared

and never asked me for a dime... I realized that I still had the money in

my hand so I went out looking for her. She was gone just that quick so I

looked all around the neighborhood for her.



I found her standing on a corner looking down at her shoes, still crying.

I was so touched. I asked her how she had gotten homeless. She told me

that she had AIDS and that she was waiting to get into a shelter. She said

that her family had turned their backs on her and that she had no place to

go, but she knew that God would make a way for her.



I said to myself, "He just did." Her faith and her praise moved me. I took

her to a nearby hotel and put her up until she was able to get on her

feet. After about a month or so we lost touch, but I never forgot her.



This past summer, a woman walked up to me smiling. I didn't recognize her

face, but her eyes were familiar. She had on a really nice dress and her

hair was done. She introduced herself to me and lo and behold - It was

her! She told me that the little help that I had given her had changed her

life. She was in a house now and doing very well.



I said all of that to say this: After I met this woman, every time I think

about complaining and mumbling I remember, "My feet are off the ground!"



I wanted to share this with you just - when you say you are thankful for

you - mean it.



When you say you are blessed - mean it.



Remember that there are many people whose feet are NOT off the ground so

be grateful that yours are!



"God providentially places us in the RIGHT place, at the RIGHT time, for

all the RIGHT reasons!"