Plain Everyday and Amazing People

Today I had the opportunity to meet some very amazing people.  Everyday people.  Hardworking.  People who have not just survived but have thrived.

I met a father today who struggled with learning until he learned about dyslexia and then finished his BS degree.  This very intelligent Dad and Mom raising their children to love the Lord, count their blessings, work hard and put family first.  They have not let labels, distances, struggles or illness to derail them. Amazing.

Sitting at the table tonight with two cancer survivors.  I'm so blessed to be part of the Relay for Life this year.  So many people have or are fighting life threatening illnesses that try to steal not just their health but their spiritual, emotional, relational and mental life.  These two people at the table who have not just survived cancer but are living passionately and with purpose.  They could have plopped down on their couch and just let life pass by waiting for others to keep living.  But they didn't.  They fought.  They cried.  They wanted to die.  But they chose the most courageous thing-to live-to really live as long as God would allow. Amazing.

One of my youth members dropped by my office for a glass of water after running to the lake and back in the VERY hot afternoon.  This is a young man that struggled with depression so badly during middle school.  He was the laughing one and the class clown.  To keep everyone from seeing his pain.  Not too many people saw past that to the heart of gold and will of steal behind those walls.  His leadership ability and passion for God is humbling to me. Amazing.

And in my home.  My husband came home after work today as surgery technician and while I was gone-tore apart our son's pickup doors and replaced the hinges.  Then he hauled downed limbs to the trash and mowed our jungle of grass.  Finally he had done the dishes that had grown in our sink.  AMAZING!