Daily writing prompt

Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met?

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The most famous person I ever met was Pastor Charles Stanley. The most fascinating thing about that meeting was I didn’t know who he was.

When I signed up for my first writer’s seminar in 1983, I saw his name as the keynote speaker, but it meant nothing to me. At that time in my life I was still a brand new Christian. I not only listened to him speak about writing, but I talked to him and shook his hand. I thought it was the most wonderful thing at the time to talk to the speaker. Not many people get close to speakers at seminars. Their security team rushes them off, and you never see them again. Not so with Pastor Charles Stanley. I shook his hand and talked face to face with him.

It wasn’t until I got home and someone told me who I spoke with and whose hand I shook. He was one of the most famous Baptist preachers in the United States from Atlanta, Georgia. When I found out who he was, I tuned into his broadcasts and listened to this great man of faith.

Was I enriched by what he told me? No. I don’t even remember the conversation. Yet, I remember how personable he was and encouraging. I remember his warmth and his smile and the deep tenor of his voice.

I’ve been to many seminars since then, but never shook anyone’s hand, or talked to them face to face. I listened and took notes about what they preached on. Nothing more. Pastor Charles Stanley was different. He made it personal with those he spoke to. He shook their hands.

Who is the most famous person you met? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading. The image belongs to me.