Kevin

I remember back in the early days of 101.3, The Light FM, and I was hosting the morning show solo.

One day I got a call from a young man named Kevin who had won a contest, and he asked if could he come by the radio station on his way to school and pick up his prize. I said sure, come on by.

He got there fairly early, and I met him in the lobby, handed him his CD or whatever, and he said, “I don’t have to be at school for a little while, would it be ok if I watched you on the radio?”

I said, sure come on back.

I pointed to a chair in the corner of the studio, told him I wouldn’t be able to talk much, and proceeded to do the radio show as Kevin watched.

It was a little uncomfortable being watched, but I mostly tried to ignore him and focus on the radio duties. Once in a while he would ask a question. After about half an hour, he said he had to go to school and he left.

On the way out he thanked me and asked if he could come back again sometime.

He was a very polite young man, and clearly very smart based on his questions, so I said, “Of course, come by again.”

So he did. The next morning.

And the next one after that.

I honestly do not remember how often he came in, but it became a regular thing for Kevin to come sit in the corner and watch me do the morning show before he went to school.

After a while I kind of regretted telling him he could come in.

I liked being in the studio by myself and it was weird not having any down time because I felt like I had to talk to him. (In fairness, that was all on me, he never did anything to make me feel that way).

One particular morning I was wishing I was by myself in the studio when I ended a break, took off my headphones, and Kevin asked, “So how did you get your start in radio?”

I thought for a second, and it hit me.

I remember I laughed out loud. I sat down on the studio chair, and said, “Well Kevin, by doing exactly what you are doing. I went to the local radio station that I listened to, and I hung out. I requested an internship. I asked questions. I learned everything I could from anybody who would talk to me.”

I felt like a jerk.

His question, and my realization that he was me…15 years later…changed my attitude.

I eventually ended up hiring Kevin.

He was a great employee because he was a good person and he had a strong interest and passion for radio. Why else would he get up early and come in before school?!

I am embarrassed at my initial attitude towards him, but I really learned an important lesson from Kevin.

I stopped looking at young people that have an interest in - and endless questions about - radio, video, editing, writing, etc as a bother and started realizing it is actually the next chapter walking in my life. It’s my opportunity to help them get some experience and for me to pass on the same gift that other people gave to me. I’m looking at you Jeff Pringle.

I am old enough now to look back and see some of these “kids” (including my own) excelling in their fields, creating stuff I could never dream of, telling stories, impacting lives, building businesses and ministries, and being leaders in their corner of the world.

Look around your workplace, your church, your home.

Pay attention to who’s in the corner of your room. Who’s listening. Who’s lingering. Who’s asking the extra question after everyone else has left. You can ignore them or invest in them.

You might be amazed at what happens if you say, “Come on in. Let me show you how this works.”

In my experience, that is the person who will one day show you how this thing works…better.