A Tribute to a Man of Men

 I never will forget the first time I noticed this man. It was in Bible class at church. He sat as a student in class, but when he opened his mouth to make a comment all I noticed was an emblem of peace and wisdom and a man of God. His presence of peace almost made me melt. I remember thinking, “Who is this man? I have to meet him.” Each comment he made thereafter, each prayer he prayed, each time he spoke, each time I came into his presence, each time I sat at his feet as a student I was in awe of the wisdom and peace that permeated his life and the genuineness of his character.

It hardly seems appropriate for me to even write about this man, for no words I write could be worthy enough to describe him and his life. His name is Ron Wilkins and anyone who knew him at all had the utmost respect for him. I shutter to think about where I would be now without the work and teaching of this man. His life has not only touched thousands of lives already, but will continue to touch the lives of many many more as his work continues to be carried on.

He was my role model and continues to be. When I think of who I want to be, the image of Ron and the peace that sourounded him comes into my mind. Who doesn’t want that peace that can pervade our lives like Ron mastered in his? I think we all want it, but the question is: are we willing to do what it takes to get it as Ron did?

You might think a man that has made such a difference was born into a well respected family with a lot going for him. Well, Ron was quick to tell you that he was born into very humble circumstances and that he began drinking at the age of four. Emotional pain was widespread throughout his family. His father was a hard man and did not accept him. His mother, burnened with emotional pain, was an alcoholic and so Ron took up the addiction as well. As a teenager, he unsuccessfully attempted to take his own life. As an adult, he spent many years in prison. He told about his life to show what emotional pain did to him and how he was able to overcome it and all his addictions by mastering two attitiudes and three skills of Jesus. Even though the majority of his life was spent as a pain carrier with many trials, he had many successes in jobs. Just to name a couple of his successes, he was once the number 3 man in a factory over 1500 people. He was an outstanding artist who made famous signs that you and I still recognize today. However…..

I think he would be quick to say that his most important job was teaching the word of God and beginning SFT Awareness, where he taught people how to process and remove emotional pain, depression and addictions using the attitudes and skills of Jesus. It is through this program that he has taught, influenced, and changed the lives of thousands of people. Ron loved what he did. It gave him life to change the lives of others for the better and he was a master at it. He loved God most of all and loved people second and it radiated from every ounce of his being. Ron also authored a book in which he talks about his life and how to remove emotional pain. Even though Ron has now passed from his earthly life into his Heavenly home he was eagerly awaiting and living for every day, his work continues to move forward here. We, his students, and especially Gary Washer who is now over the SFT program, continue to teach others how to process and remove emotional pain in their lives.

With this feeble attempt at a tribute to one of the greatest men to ever walk the earth, I would like to close with just a few words and phrases that defined his life and made Ron Wilkins so rare: (***Note**When I say “master” I mean a true master, just as his Master teacher, Jesus***)

• A master of:
•
humility
positive attitude
listening skills
accurate healthy thinking
assertiveness (getting his needs met without offending anyone)
• Peace
• Selflessness
• Gratitude
• Wisdom (always able to see the big picture (and act and make decisions accordingly) and always able to see exaclty what was going on without anyone telling him directly)
• Love and acceptance of everyone (nonjudgementally, despite all their faults)
• A friend to everyone - no respector of people
• Walked the walk and talked the talk
• Genuiness and sincerity
• Knew this world was not his home
• Prepared to die at any moment - always knew what was important and acted on it
• Great teacher and mentor
•

Ron Wilkins was the closest representation of Jesus I have ever seen. I’m convinced that everyone who came into contact with him, was a believer that Jesus truly was the son of God.

Ron, thank you! We love you, miss you and continue what you started… You and your work will live on….. As in the words of John Skorik, “See you soon!”