I won’t tell a lie. I woke up this morning feeling a little sorry for myself when I saw the gorgeous blue skies.
After saying goodbye to my family who both respectively drove in over three and four hours just to help with the fund-raiser I sat down and went on-line. I saw that Heath left a message on my Just Show Up blog post:
“Sometimes it IS just about showing up….”
Exactly. Thank you Heath Rushing for wiping away the threat of a woes me day.
Yesterday was not about what funds could be raised but about the gift I received in those who showed up for me and the ministry. It meant the world to me for my parents to drive all the way down from Sherman for two days and not to mention Heather who had just spent 24 hours in the car with me and she and Michelle drove the 3.5 hours to be here. They showed up and were God’s love and support to me.
And to have all of the volunteers, my in-laws and friends who left little ones at home, put aside other family obligations and even driving in from Austin to be here to support the ministry. When I take a step back and look at what the day brought, it wasn’t the storm it was a showing up for me!
I failed to include two other stories that were a part of yesterday towards the end when everyone was scrambling to figure out what was going on and if we should pack up. One couple came up to me and once they learned about Hopeful Hearts they told me about a good friend of theirs who was shot at point-blank in the stomach by her husband. She actually bled out and died but was revived to life. Now she speaks about her story and has a desire to help other women. They took my card and I hope to get in touch with her soon.
The final story actually was so quick and at the time when I had put everything up and lightening was smacking the sidewalk around us. It was a young man with a toddler. He asked about the charm and when I told him about it he asked, “Is it for all types of abuse?”
When I told him it was he said he wanted to buy a necklace. I told him about giving one to a survivor and I could see a flash of both pain and love cross his face, “I know someone else to give one to as well,” he said. “My mom.”
The impact of his quick reveal went deep into my own heart. In that second I imagined my own son standing there purchasing something for me to give as a symbol of my strength and what I’ve overcome. If only there were more time and the wind wasn’t whipping around with lightning zapping at our backside. “I think you giving this to her will be healing,” I said.
Yesterday was not a bust and I’m glad God opened my eyes to all the ways in which He showed up.
Blessings
Shannon