Any time I sit down to write about an individual, I feel some anxiety. I know that my limited skills of communication will never tell the whole story or provide the depth and dimension of a person’s life, personality, much less the contribution they make to so many. I feel deep anxiety as I approach my only sister, because of my great love and admiration for her. She has accomplished more with fewer resources than most and reached heights most people only dream of. Through it all, she remains one of the most ferociously intense people I know about serving others through her talents and abilities. She posses strong opinions on what is right and wrong. But what I marvel about the most is that I have seen her push through obstacles which would crush most and on the other side what remained was optimism and hope. Where does that come from?
What the outside world may see is a lady who lives alone quietly and devotes her life to high school students. Not so unusual. Not so out of the ordinary. What you may not know of is her high level positions for Florida County Commissioners, Secretaries of State, or her service as Departmental Heads for the Insurance and Correctional Commissioners for over a decade. You may not know of her service to governors and presidents, but those are just “part of her past” and not really relevant to today. What you see is not always what you get.
When I alluded to the fact that my sister has a servant’s heart, it was a gross understatement. When she serves, you don’t get a PB&J, you get a full steak dinner with all the trimmings on the finest china and silverware. It’s as if she was preparing the service for Christ Himself! Imagine that! I can remember checking my mail box during my first year of college to find what I knew were all the tips she had made during the week waiting tables. I cried every time because of the selflessness of my sister. I never knew how to repay her. Even when she may not have all the facts straight, her intent, involvement, and effort are simply overwhelming. You rarely feel as if “Thank You” was adequate.
Unfortunately, some have taken advantage of that giving spirit. In her efforts to help, salvage, or save a few men, her husband’s took advantage of the giving spirit God meant for good. While none of us are perfect, the family trait of “rescuing others” lives on in her to this day. I look at her and marvel how that mindset still exists in her – fresh and new every day! She reminds me of mom when she tells me stories of her student’s progress in the same way mom shared her stories of transitioning the terminally ill. There is always optimism and hope in her voice. There is always a brighter day and plenty of love to fill that day.
No matter what place or position you choose in life, you always have a choice of doing the right thing, even if people abuse your kindness. You must carefully measure the recipients of your “pearls” (Matthew 7:6) and resources the Lord has blessed you with. You WILL make mistakes and grieve because of those mistakes. However, the Lord knows the intent of your heart and the good news is, that is what is important – NOT the results. My sister should be your example of resiliency with no demands or requests for fairness.
Love Dad