Servant leaders say yes!

There are a lot of positive aspects to being 45.  I’m not embarrassed to admit that I’m usually asleep by 8:30 pm.  I’m much more appreciative of a work/personal life balance.  I’ve found a “look” that I’m comfortable with in both clothing and hair style.  I live within a relatively sane budget and I’m surrounded with a wonderful group of friends.

I wrote that to back up the following; a couple of weeks ago I became completely enamored with a group of 20-somethings from California that were in town to help with the Joplin tornado recovery efforts.  The group was one of many that have bunked at our church here in Neosho after working all day in Joplin.  Several members of our church have been fixing the various teams dinner in the evening.

The dinners were one way I thought I could help relief efforts, not by cooking, but by washing dishes after.  Around 7 p.m. the group wandered in, from an almost a 12-hour day helping one family salvage some appliances remaining in the damaged home. 

They were dirty, hot and completely worn out, but they were happy and so appreciative of the meal we had prepared.  I hope, looking back, that I was that polite when I was 22 or 23.  They made over the meal and thanked everyone time and again.  They talked with great care and sensitivity regarding the family they had help.

It was obvious they had their whole lives ahead of them and that they were focused on lives filled with opportunities to help others.  They embodied servant leadership and were fascinating to watch as they rearranged our round fellowship hall tables into one large grouping so that everyone in their group would eat from the same table and share in the same stories and laughter.

While getting the room ready before their arrival, I found a folded bulletin that I assumed must have been from that morning church services.  Opening it I was surprised to find that it was the program from Hale McGinty’s memorial service.  I instantly thought of how fascinated Hale would have been with all the volunteer efforts currently underway and how proud he would have been in any part of Neosho’s involvement in helping Joplin recover.

Our minister shared a quote from Hale as part of that memorial.  “If you want to have a wonderful life there are some things you need to do.  The next time someone asks you to serve…say yes.” 

These “kids” said yes.  They didn’t see their job helping a family as too small or meaningless.  They didn’t feel their meals were owed them, but gave back warmth and love and let us share, for however short a time in the hope and happiness they brought.