My Tribute

“How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me?” The pastor/singer/songwriter who penned that song captured my heart in his words. Not just in my gratitude to God for doing far beyond all I could ask or think, but also to the many people who have given of themselves to the organizations I am privileged to lead. At the end of this month, my 34 year old face will appear on a screen and my 49 year old body will stand and be recognized as a person of distinguished service to the children of this community. This will happen because some anonymous person took the time to nominate me and I am humbled and I am grateful. Whoever you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart! This week is national volunteer week and the true distinguished service is done by the 70+ teens and adults on the front lines week after week, tirelessly serving the children in both our Awana Club and the Natomas Homeschool Alliance. My name appears on the email the goes out to families and I am the one who most often holds the microphone, but when the children remember the people who invested in them, they will think of people like Suzanne, who has served in the same volunteer position for 15 years. Her own children never attended Awana but she has mentored countless 3rd-6th graders including my children. I have never heard a single complaint escape her lips. She has never asked for anything. She has stuck with us through all of the moves and changes. Hers is the distinguished service that won’t get nearly the recognition it deserves but that won’t matter. She will continue to serve quietly as she always has.

The children will remember people like Ann, who saved her whole life so that her and her husband could retire early and enjoy their lives together, traveling and embracing every minute. She never saw the cancer coming that claimed his life just as they were ready to embark on their dream, but she didn’t spend a day wallowing in much deserved self-pity. Instead, she threw herself into serving children whose physical, social, or learning challenges would otherwise steal their of self-esteem. Ann sincerely sees an artist in every student but she seeks these struggling students out and she nurtures their creativity until they also believe in themselves and their gifts. Ann’s mind never stops planning the lessons she will teach and she never expresses anything but gratitude for the opportunity to teach them.

There is Nicole who worked for free while all those around her received a paycheck. She spent her own money on supplies and never asked for reimbursement. She did this so that children could learn about the Creator while studying the creation. Like so many teachers, no one sees the hours she invests except her family and the Creator himself. There are people like Alison and Sarah who not only serve on the front lines with the children but also jump in and save the day on the administrative side every time I over-commit or get overwhelmed. There are people like Christi and Cristy who I know I could call at any time with any need and they would be on it.

Every week I sit teaching in a room full of the three year olds, but it is the 6 thirteen year olds that teach beside me in that room that move me to tears of gratitude on a regular basis. For 15 years, I’ve been watching 3 year olds become 13 year olds and I am so privileged to have a front row seat to that amazing transformation. Our young people do an incredible job serving in a variety of capacities often reserved for adults. They are capable, passionate, and equipped for a lifetime of service.

I’ve mentioned 7 names here but there are 10 times that many in these organizations whose service deserves recognition it may never receive. In addition, there are moms like Terri who have hearts to serve, but her energy is consumed by the demands of caring for her own children whose bodies do battle with invisible killers that rob their sleep and their comfort. Terri’s picture won’t appear on a giant screen because only God sees her distinguished service, soothing her children through the longest nights, year after year. Our community is blessed by an abundance of people whose service we could never adequately recognize. If you are someone who has coached, taught, mentored, inspired or befriended me or my family, thank you! If you have served or participated in Awana or NHA, I am the biggest beneficiary of these ministries as I get to see so much of what God has done in these organizations. There isn’t a week that passes when I am not touched and moved by the people I encounter. To God be the glory for the things He has done!