Back in the third grade, Ben Glenn was diagnosed as Learning Disabled. Later, he came to find out that he had Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder. Thus, an ordinary kid from Plainfield, Illinois, suddenly found out that he was 'special'. It wasn't the kind of special that he enjoyed very much and as with any label, Ben soon found himself the brunt of cruel jokes, self-esteem dwindling, wondering if perhaps God had made a huge mistake putting him together.
Fortunately, Ben had a couple of things working for him. Parents who believed in him and supported him and a handful of teachers who encouraged and cheered him on to make the best of himself.
In a fantastic twist of fate, or as Ben believes, plotted by God himself, he had to choose between two years of music or art in place of a foreign language to graduate (a special provision made for him by the school's principal). Ben chose art and the rest, as they say, is history!
In 1991, at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp, Ben met an elderly chalk artist by the name of Bill Leach who became his mentor and asked him to carry on his ministry, Living Art, when he became too ill to accept any more engagements. Bill passed away in 1994, leaving his legacy of dazzling chalk art and a heart for seeing lives transformed through Christ, to Ben. Fast-forward thirteen years.
Today, Ben is a highly successful and acclaimed public speaker, comedian and author, traveling all over the world to share an "updated" version of Living Art that he has re-named Chalk Media to reflect the stronger emphasis on utilizing the latest multi-media technology as part of his presentation.
Currently, Ben, his wife and two daughters, make their home in the modest and under appreciated city of Indianapolis.
Ben still faces the challenges that ADHD and Dyslexia bring, but says that each day it gets a little easier.
A Prayer for God to Bring You Through an Exhausting Life Phase - Your Daily Prayer - May 9
I came across Habakkuk 3:19 in my attempt to refuel my sunken strength and journal out these thoughts in my morning quiet time. And what spoke to me is this…