By: Ted Camp, Silent Word Ministries

Paul Harvey for years would give part one of a story and then closed with, “Now the rest of the story.” Sometimes we overact because we only know part one and never know the rest of the story. Story one...Part one: The preacher complained about a certain man who slept during his sermons. The rest of the story: One day the wife of the sleeping man told the preacher. “I wanted you to know that my husband is dying and his medication often causes him to sleep.” She continued saying, “You are my husband’s favorite preacher. We often talk about how your messages are a great blessing to him.”

Story two...Part one: A father with three unruly children were riding a bus. The children were pestering the riders and finally a preacher advised the father to control his children. The rest of the story: The father responded, “I know, they have been this way since their mother died a few days ago, and I simply don’t know what I am going to do.” 

Story three..Part one: The evangelist complained about a certain young boy who continually pestered him each night of the revival. The rest of the story: The evangelist learned that the young boy had recently lost his father in an accident. Someone told him that he was the first person that the boy had responded to since the accident. 

Story Four...Part one: The pastor was complaining about the young people talking at the back of the church. He threatened them several times. Finally, one young boy stood up and walked out. The rest of the story:  The young boy left the church angry and drove too fast. He lost control, hit a tree and lost his life.

Story Five...Part one: Once, I was also a young man who sat in the back of the church, talked, wrote notes, and pestered the pastor. The rest of the story: Now, I have been a preacher/missionary for over 45 years. Well, did you learn anything? Many times we overact because we only see part one of the story. We need to have more patience and love until we know the rest of the story...These Are Words of Wisdom.

Ted Camp is director of Silent Word Ministries, a worldwide ministry to the deaf based in Trenton. E-mail him at TC@silentword.org to be added to the email list for weekly articles or phone (706) 657-8000.