Unsung Heroes

 I apologize that this didn't get posted Monday. I wanted it to follow Mother's Day, but just realized that maybe being Wednesday, exactly two weeks from the accident....may be the right day!

I am posting the 2 links to our Sunday service. My "message", though I am including the print version, probably would make a bit more sense in context with the service as a whole.

🔗 Mother's Day service part 1

🔗Mother's Day Service part 2

Unsung hero

....the title of the song, the name of the movie. And I didn't realize until I started getting this ready for a spotlight Sunday several months ago that it was about their mother...so I held off and decided to use it for Mother's Day.  And now the timing, for other reasons, seems to be God.

I don't have a whole long message. Just some thoughts. Many of us have a mom who we look up to, we cherish. We even think of them as a hero, even if they have passed. I know there are some who don't like that term “hero”;  "They are just doing their job" "it is just what you are supposed to do".

I know some people may not have a mother they would put in that category, they love their mom, but for whatever reason their mom may not have taken care of them or weren’t nurturing and for that I am sorry. And I pray that God has put people in your life that you can look up to and use as an example. 

Moms sometimes do go underappreciated, mostly because sometimes it really isn't known exactly ALL a mother manages to juggle and do....and why the moms I know are unsung heroes. 

But as we have just witnessed and are living through...the many unsung heroes that surround us.

People doing what they do just because, making "going out of their way" be absolutely normal. 

And I could go back in time and list many. 

My mom...I am sure I don't know all that was sacrificed by my mom, but she has always been one of my heroes, someone I hoped to emulate one day. I have watched my daughter be an amazing mother no matter how difficult her circumstances are and my daughter -in-law being a terrific boy mom.

But I will start 5 weeks ago

Friends who live in an incredibly small apartment willing to put up six people, while Marah had tests and procedure in the city. Who completely upended their life for our 2 night stay which was incredibly comfortable and what Marah needed.

To those taking extra care of Marah when she ended up in the hospital in Malone...[Kim, being mom when I wasn't there..and taking care of things…. unsung hero moment to us]

And then to April 30th almost 2 weeks ago.

God had it all.  He was before it and in it and after it. 

And through so many individuals, heroes in my book, hero moments...those who showed up, just incase more personnel was needed.

Luke himself...keeping such a level head and being positive.  Talitha and her dad doing anything they could to try and get him out and staying calm...calming for Luke. Kevin, running the scene in emergency mode...taking charge and taking care, to save Luke and his leg.

Gina, keeping calm with the boys and making their way out of the swamp and the woods...not knowing the status. 

Rachel and Marah also, not knowing their brother's status, doing what needed to be done. Remaining calm.

Terry, who listened and came through Potsdam. He arrived at the ED just when the ambulance did. Kevin went in with Luke, as he was still stabilizing the leg. Talitha had to go to waiting. I wasn't there yet.  She was by herself , Terry was there right when he was needed.

Every single one of you is a hero to me. 

 A hero is someone who stands firm, steps up, when things around them are uncertain and upside down. It is the one who remains steady....can be counted on whether it is a normal day or a day that goes sideways.

And I didn't mention all who have called, text or even just prayed. Because it isn’t JUST prayer. Prayer warriors are heroes too!

What lessons from this?

Heroes know that it isn’t their power that they accomplish anything,

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
 Psalm 12:1-2

They know where their strength comes from

 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  Philippians  4:13

 We do not do what we do for recognition or honors. 

We do what we do because we serve a great and mighty God...who loves us in a great and mighty way...and we try to pass that love along to anyone in any way we can.

 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.   Colossians 3:23-24

 We should all aspire to be unsung heroes. Doing God's work in the background, knowing we are serving and pleasing the Lord.