When I started on staff just over a year and a half ago, I petitioned God with a simple prayer. I asked him to give me a love - like His love - for His people at SouthSide Church. It seemed simple enough, but in reality it was much more colossal than even I had thought. I expected that it would come with its share of enjoyment and challenges but I sometimes wondered if the challenges would outweigh the joy. I was so wrong in thinking that. In fact, as I sit here today writing this, my heart is so full of joy. I am thankful that God has blessed me with the ability to see the beauty in the little things of life and of the wonderful qualities in people. Today my heart is full – not because of the beautiful spring weather – but because of a few amazing people in my life. I like to call them my everyday heroes. An everyday hero can come in so many forms. In fact, one of my everyday heroes is a young, quiet, unassuming man. He has been my hero twice this year, and I hardly even know him. He has listened to God’s voice and followed His leading – even though it may have been at great sacrifice personally. Twice this year he has come to my rescue with his quiet demeanour and willing heart. If I told you the simple things that he did for me and the set up team, you would probably laugh. However, he was following the Lord’s leading and it was beautiful to watch. I was blessed to see what God is doing in his life. My heart is full.
Another everyday hero came to me in the form of a young mother. Her struggle to find her way in life and with the Lord was quite a battle to watch. In fact, she seemed so needy that I often would not know where to start. I spent a lot of time in prayer for her and also for me so that I would know how to deal with her situation. God blessed me again with a pure love for this mom. In two short years she overcame many challenges in her life and has become a huge blessing in our church. If fact, she is now a strong leader in the church. My heart is full.
I have another everyday hero that comes to mind today. She is a powerful woman of God who I admire greatly. She is a prayer warrior. Her life and words attest to her love of God and of the church. Early Sunday morning she is at the church praying with a handful of people for each and every one of you that will walk through that door. She is a quiet, strong woman of great faith. My heart is full.
The best part about all three of these examples that I used today is the fact that they are people from SouthSide Church. So many times we overlook the amazing qualities of others as we walk in and out of the church doors. If you asked God for His love for people – can you imagine how it might look in your home, work, church and community one year from now?
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
2 Thessalonians 3:5
