Look down, and meet my friend, Joy. She's the dark-haired cutie.
To all the writers out there, you know how people always say you should attend writing conferences because you meet tons of people who ignite your creativity? Well, it's true. I met Joy this summer at a conference, and her heart and ideas continue to inspire.
Want to see for yourself? Of course you do. Here's Joy's Share Your Story about Gayle, Texas wildfires, and being the least of these:
I was introduced to Gayle at a Heart of CAbi Foundation clothing giveaway to the survivors of the Bastrop Wildfires. Bastrop, a suburb of Austin, Texas, lost 1400 homes in early September. Along with my CAbi colleagues, I had the honor to serve about 100 of these women in the role of personal shopper, and I helped outfit ladies in brand new CAbi clothes. Although each woman I met touched me in some way, Gayle, who works as an administrative assistant during the day, and a clerk for Walgreens five nights a week, told me that the wildfire has been the biggest blessing of her life.
“I thought I knew God before this happened, but I know a totally different God now.” I listened as I buttoned up a sweater, helped with a back zip skirt, and re-hung clothes.
At one point, we put together an outfit for her day job, and Gayle turned away from the mirror to show me.
As she turned back to gaze at herself and stroke the silk ruffled top she said, “I never would have had this before the fires.” I was trying so hard to stay in listening mode and not be yet another person peppering her with questions about her tragedy, so I still don’t know what she meant by “have had this.” That beautiful top? That vision of herself? Or maybe that situation of receiving love and care? As we were gathering all of her yeses and heading to the checkout desk we hugged and decided that when she was ready to be on facebook again, she’d look me up. And that’s when she said her line…“I can’t believe I get to be one of the least of these.”
Since my return to San Francisco, I’ve hit the ground running. Loads of meetings, CAbi shows, children’s sports events and school projects have kept me busy. But all along in the background of that life-busyness have been Gayle’s words ringing in my head.
She sees this horrific tragedy as a blessing, and her life is not all put back together yet. She currently lives with one of her grown sons, who encouraged her to come stay with him for as long as she needs. If that isn’t a testament to raising him right, I don’t know what else might be. One of the biggest difficulties of re-building after a natural disaster is the time needed to register on multiple lists and deal with all the red tape and bureaucracy to get the services needed. Gayle works two full-time jobs and has had very little time to follow through on all of the “aid” that’s out there. But still, this has been the biggest blessing of her life.
Gayle has quickly learned how to receive Jesus’ love through the earthly hands of the communal church. With awe and amazement she sees herself honored enough by Him to be placed in the role of receiving love and attention meant for Him. See, the Gospel makes it clear: when we do it for Gayle, it’s as if we are doing it for Him.
If you could have seen the radiant joy on Gayle’s face, you might join me in my prayer: Lord, please grant me the humility needed to receive with grace and love from others. If they are Your hands and feet, let me honor their offerings and receive Your love through them.
Thanks, Joy, for Sharing Your Story. You can find Joy at JoyLibby.com where she blogs, but only when she isn't working on her book. Are you interested in Sharing Your Story?
: :
Pssst, have you heard about mushy, gushy, make your heart race, love letters?
“I thought I knew God before this happened, but I know a totally different God now.” I listened as I buttoned up a sweater, helped with a back zip skirt, and re-hung clothes.
At one point, we put together an outfit for her day job, and Gayle turned away from the mirror to show me.
As she turned back to gaze at herself and stroke the silk ruffled top she said, “I never would have had this before the fires.” I was trying so hard to stay in listening mode and not be yet another person peppering her with questions about her tragedy, so I still don’t know what she meant by “have had this.” That beautiful top? That vision of herself? Or maybe that situation of receiving love and care? As we were gathering all of her yeses and heading to the checkout desk we hugged and decided that when she was ready to be on facebook again, she’d look me up. And that’s when she said her line…“I can’t believe I get to be one of the least of these.”
Since my return to San Francisco, I’ve hit the ground running. Loads of meetings, CAbi shows, children’s sports events and school projects have kept me busy. But all along in the background of that life-busyness have been Gayle’s words ringing in my head.
She sees this horrific tragedy as a blessing, and her life is not all put back together yet. She currently lives with one of her grown sons, who encouraged her to come stay with him for as long as she needs. If that isn’t a testament to raising him right, I don’t know what else might be. One of the biggest difficulties of re-building after a natural disaster is the time needed to register on multiple lists and deal with all the red tape and bureaucracy to get the services needed. Gayle works two full-time jobs and has had very little time to follow through on all of the “aid” that’s out there. But still, this has been the biggest blessing of her life.
Gayle has quickly learned how to receive Jesus’ love through the earthly hands of the communal church. With awe and amazement she sees herself honored enough by Him to be placed in the role of receiving love and attention meant for Him. See, the Gospel makes it clear: when we do it for Gayle, it’s as if we are doing it for Him.
If you could have seen the radiant joy on Gayle’s face, you might join me in my prayer: Lord, please grant me the humility needed to receive with grace and love from others. If they are Your hands and feet, let me honor their offerings and receive Your love through them.
: :
Thanks, Joy, for Sharing Your Story. You can find Joy at JoyLibby.com where she blogs, but only when she isn't working on her book. Are you interested in Sharing Your Story?
: :
Pssst, have you heard about mushy, gushy, make your heart race, love letters?
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing Joy. It is always inspirational to see someone turn a negative into a positive, and glad that she found the support that she needed to help navigate.
Enjoy your weekend Amy and Joy.
Joy,
Doesn't it feel good to work for a company that makes things like this a priority? I liked the link to the video too. Awesome.
So glad you shared here. I'm sure everyone will take something different from this, but it made me think about how it doesn't take much to turn my attitude negative.
It also made me think we should have the expectation that the companies we work for should give back to our communities.
Anyway, thanks girl.
Slam, thanks for reading!
well, we know how much I love Joy. As somehow who witnessed these fires firsthand and who felt the fear of them encroaching on my own space, I think Gayle's perspective is particularly humbling. Would I have this same reaction? Would I embrace as she did, or simply run away?
I love how you have written this story, Joy.
Thank you Amy for introducing me to Joy. Her story that further scores what God has been speaking to me today in verse and then in sermon.
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