Shaun Groves
Not long after my record label shut its doors, I traveled to Ethiopia with Wess. Over breakfast one morning I told him I thought I was done with music. He suggested otherwise. He suggested I keep singing, keep traveling, keep speaking for Compassion’s children. Wess saw ability in me when I didn’t, saw a future where I saw failure, saw usefulness when I felt useless.
He smiled and spoke direction and courage into me over scrambled eggs and coffee. It only took a minute.
But that minute yielded five more years of touring, new songs to sing and thousands of kids released from poverty. Time well spent.
Wess Stafford is the president of Compassion International. He’s written about the potential of a minute in his latest book Just a Minute, a collection of stories illustrating the power big people have to change the lives of little ones. (He even included a story of mine.)
Every minute with a child is a God given opportunity and this book shows how people just like us have made the most of them. As Wess writes, “I have become convinced that if God stands a child before you, for even just a minute, it is a divine appointment.”
Purchase Just A Minute today from Amazon.com, then share your own story at JustAMinute.com.
Jess Carpenter says:
Excellent! Excited to read this!
Jenn says:
I am working on my “minute” post for the blog right now. I am using one of my husband’s stories this time instead of mine. The video of Wess sharing about his daughter is so good, and it really has made Tim and me more deliberate in thinking about how we respond to our kids when they are having a creative moment. I don’t want to be too quick to shush them and send them away!
Melissa says:
I have just started this book and with every story I read- my mind really does jump a train to the “minutes” in my life when people made a difference.
I just got done reading the story about Jessica in the first chapter. As sad as the story is, the somewhat happy ending reminded me that how I serve children can often go so much deeper than a Sunday morning hug or high-five. It doesn’t take much for me to give but can mean the world for a kid.
I love the reminders Wess gives in this book!
Keri says:
Melissa, did you know that you can share your story of those “minutes” when people made a difference on the JustAMinute.com website? just click on the “story” link at the top, then type in your story.
Kelli says:
I am planning on writing about this book this week, too! 🙂
This was such a sweet book and very inspiring to realize that sometimes it’s the little moments that make all the difference. I was very, very humbled and honored to have one of my blog posts included in this book. I am fortunate that I had someone take just a minute to speak wisdom into me which impacted who I became as an adult. I’m grateful that the story could be shared with others.
Jill Foley says:
I love this book! My post about it is going up tonight ~ and I have a copy to give away : )
jennibell says:
Great post! Thank you for sharing. . .something I definitely needed to hear today. . .not just for my own children, but the 127 that I come into contact with daily. . .they need those minutes too and sometimes I forget that my classroom isn’t just a j-o-b but a mission field that I was hand-picked for.
Yvonne says:
I love your music Shaun! Glad to know that Wess gave you a minute that encouraged you to continue blessing others with the gift God has blessed you with.
Zoë says:
When Wess Stafford speaks, there’s a light in his eyes and a warmth that glows. He’s an inspiration to so many. I pray that God shines through me like that.
Celia says:
I received a welcome packet from Dr. Stafford yesterday afternoon and had just read it when I opened your blog post. What a Godly man! I also just ordered his book from Amazon.
Shaun, the Lord has placed it on my heart to begin sponsoring one child a month for a year during 2012 with my tithe. My first is Yaribeth from Ecuador. God has spoken to me through your blog. Thank you for all that you do!
Keri says:
Just a Minute didn’t just touch my heart, it stirred me to action. It’s a great collection of stories of pivotal moments when someone spoke a word of encouragement, or noticed a child, or named that child’s strength—and the results lasted forever. After being inspired by these stories, I decided it wouldn’t take much for me to offer that kind of encouragement. I have been much more intentional, since I read this book, in slowing down a little, making time in my life to give love and attention to children–my own teenagers, a friend’s preschoolers, even children I don’t know but happen to encounter in my daily life. I’ve tried to take just a minute to speak words of affirmation–not just to kids but to anyone I happen to interact with!
Genny says:
Thank you for this; I’m putting this book on my t0-read list. I love the idea of one minute in the life of a child and the impact it can make…
The other night, my son (11) was trying to ask me a question as I was hurrying around the house getting things ready for us to leave for basketball practice and he said, “Mom, I need you to stop and really listen to me.” It took me back and made me realize how much I want my kids to feel heard (truly heard) by me, and how every minute really does count. Thanks for the reminder!
Jennifer@SurprisingJoy says:
Shaun, what a nice surprise to find your blog! I clicked on one of Ann Voskamp’s links, and it directed me here. I appreciate this post; it’s a great reminder that the little moments matter. See you in the halls of FCA!
Beth says:
ordered mine from CDB. Can’t wait for it to arrive!
Beth
Lissa says:
“Every minute with a child is a God given opportunity” – What a powerful statement. I so wish more people understoond this. That each and every child is a gift from God. That we as parents, grandparents, family (blood related or not), friends, (the village if you will) should be stewards to their well being and upbringing. No child should grow up scared, hurt, hungry, or ignored. A child is a divine appointment and we need to remember that.