Joy

Recently, my family was invited to my wife’s best friends church to pay tribute to her 98 year old grandmother. For 3 hours, family came, hymns were sung, and then her grandmother, who in her 80’s got a college degree, sat and played piano perfectly. That would have made for a beautiful service on it’s own. After the song, this little woman who has been a matriarch to an entire community and seen some of the worst racial elements of society, and as recently as a few nights earlier counseled a family on her street that lost a teen son to a shooting stood and preached Galatians 5 with more force than I have ever heard a sermon delivered before. Love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness. Her common refrain, “Feel the joy..!” It absolutely filled my heart.

As we walked to the car, my mind turned to a church that I would be sitting in two days later, and how a family that we have known for years could ever find joy again.

Trent was 10 years old and a schoolmate of my daughters. I met him on opening night of practice coaching t-ball a few years ago and his mom told me that he may miss some games and practices because he was diagnosed with brain cancer. 4 years of doctor visits, therapy, radiation, traveling to and from cities to see specialists. They had just brought hospice in a few weeks ago before the schools boosterthon race. Trent still ran a couple of laps and was carried the rest of the way. A perfect Tallahassee day and his smile showing pure joy of being alive and around his friends.

Neighbors on his street decorated for Christmas so that he could have one last experience. The joy of the season. The next day he passed away. As a parent, you cant imagine, and you don’t know what to say.

I didn’t expect to hear joy. “We had him for 10 years, and get to love him forever..”

I’ve heard describing faith is like explaining a color to someone that can’t see. Perspective is the same way.

As a recruiter, I thoroughly enjoy getting to know people. People share amazingly inspirational stories. I also hear about the divorces. Not seeing kids. Health issues. Financial despair. The holidays are the best or worst time of the year depending on your perspective. No amount of money or title changes it.

This season I wish you love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness.

For more information on client development best practices contact please call Andrew Wilcox at (850) 629-9073, or Andrew@Wilcox-legal.com.