Mela Kamin – 4:10 Ministries

Monday night I had the pleasure to speak and sing at a friend’s book signing. I was honored he asked and I couldn’t wait to share in his celebratory evening.
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This isn’t your ordinary author – no, his name is Davis (DC) Smith and he’s nine – yes, NINE (as in years old)!
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Oh, and did I mention he has Asperger’s, which is on the autism spectrum?
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I met DC and his parents through church and school. It’s been so thrilling to see him blaze through life with a kind of boldness we either attain as we get older, or maybe outgrow as we get older.
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Either way, most of us don’t have it. DC does.
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Here’s what I said to him & the crowd. You might recognize yourself in here too.
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It says a lot about Suzi & Kent that we are here today. Not only have they been champions of their son, helping him grow & develop, to be kind and compassionate and love God – but, they’ve continuously shown him there are NO limits on what he can do.
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Davis – you exemplify courage – you are a risk taker … you are a generous, smart, funny and sweet. You’re a big-hearted kid who isn’t afraid to do BIG things, HARD things.
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Let’s see … you’ve written & recorded songs, written & now published a book and acted. That’s a pretty impressive list for a nine year old.
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I’ve heard it said that “fate favors the bold.” And, BOLD is a word I think of when I think of Davis.
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I’m not talking about the bold that is loud, barges into a room and says whatever he thinks. No, Bold as in having the faith to do great things. The kind of bold that we see over and over again in the Bible.
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The kind of bold that comes from hearing and believing that “with God, all things are possible.” Not SOME things, but ALL things.
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How many times have you wondered if you should do something? And, in the next breath, you’re asking, “What will people think?” “What if I fail?” “What if they laugh at me?” “Is it too big of a risk?”
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You know what’s too big of a risk? – living a life wishing you had done that thing you longed to do. Living a life never fully realizing what God gifted you with.
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I think of the Rev. Robert Schuller when he said: “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” It’s a great question to ask yourself.
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Well, Davis has been answering that question throughout his young life. I can only imagine what great things lie ahead for this amazing young man.
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Davis – I would like to sing your favorite song from my album – “You’re Beautiful.” So often our world, the media, a medical diagnosis, a harsh word tells us we’re not beautiful enough, not smart enough, not normal enough, not worthy enough, not talented enough … or just not enough period.
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That sure is a lot of noise, isn’t it?
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I hope you’ll remember to listen to what God has to say about you and let this be your new soundtrack.

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By the way, the book is fantastic – my 11-year old bookworm daughter read it that night. I could hear her giggling and a couple times even laughing out loud. She told me “Wow, that’s a REALLY good book!” That’s high praise from her, I assure you.
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DC was on our local news, in the local paper and sold out of his book Monday night! His cousin, Serena Lins illustrated the book (oh, and she’s eight).
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If you’d like to order a book, you may do so HERE. And, remember 10% will be donated to the MN Walk Now for Autism Speaks. You can check out his walk website HERE.
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What’s something you’ve been wanting to do?
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