Shiny People- A Guest Post

Well, I'm out straight with a giant work project, that needs to be done, like yesterday,  and a 2 day conference that we're hosting, which begins tomorrow.   Lucky for me, someone offered to do a guest post!!  

Even luckier for me, it's Marcia Walker, who raised me with my dad, through my high school years and beyond.  Even if I wasn't swamped, and had all the time in the world, I wouldn't be able to say enough about what her presence in my life has meant for me.  We haven't always gotten along, we still don't sometimes, but she's proven time and time again that she loves me, even though mothers generally don't have to prove that sort of thing. I'm special :) Like most mothers, she's taught me how to do some things in life, and how not to do some other things. I'm grateful for all her lessons, even the ones I don't follow. I'm blessed by her love for my dad, and I'm thankful that God put her in my life.  I sure did need her. 

Read on, be blessed by her reminder. I know I needed it.

Two weeks ago, I visited Gordon College. I went with our daughter who is a high school senior, she has been accepted there and was scheduled for a tour. I have to admit that I really did not want to go. The thought of getting up an hour earlier than usual and driving through the Boston area morning commute was less than inviting, nonetheless we set out bright and early.

We arrived much sooner than we needed to, because there were no back-ups in the morning traffic (Thank you Lord). We pulled onto the college property not knowing for sure which way we were supposed to go. We had a map and a location, so we pulled over to check the map. A car pulled up next to us and a friendly woman asked if we were lost. We said “Not really lost, but unsure of where to go”. She asked if we were here for the tour and directed us where to go.

Now, as college tours go, this was pretty standard: check in, hear a welcome speech, listen to a student panel, meet some department members, lunch, tour the campus and attend a class.

What wasn’t standard was the people who we met throughout the day. The greeters were very friendly, but then I expected that. They were there to make a good first impression. Then we were moved to the first venue. While we were waiting for a few stragglers the staff mingled with us. They were lovely, beauty filled women. One of them was the friendly woman from earlier, who had stopped and directed us when we first arrived on the campus.

The president of the college gave the welcome speech; he was a handsome, beauty-filled man. Younger than any college president, that I have encountered. He spoke of not just becoming educated, but becoming transformed.

The student panel was made up of three beautiful and beauty-filled young women and one nice looking, beauty-filled young man. They spoke of their college experience and their student teaching experience and how their faith aided them in their teaching, even when they could not speak about it in the public school arena.

I was beginning to think that we were being romanced by the best and brightest, both students and staff, but as the day continued, I came to realize that the beauty coming from these people was genuine. They were filled with the love of God and it was “sticking out” all over them.

We were invited to attend a service at the chapel, it was filled and the morning “sermon” was quite convicting to me! A young woman gave a testimony and she was again beauty –filled and it was showing on her face.

I don’t believe that I encountered a single negative or ill mannered person the whole time we were there! 

We were seeing God’s work in action! These beauty-filled people were that way because of the love of God they had in their hearts. They never told us that, they never said “I believe in Jesus”, or “I am a Christian”, or “I do this because of God’s love”. They didn’t need to, they showed us!

I think that it was a needed reminder to me that if God’s love fills your heart, it will show on your face and in your deeds. It will make you a beauty-filled and a beautiful person. 

May we all take to heart what Matthew says in 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before me, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Shine for God and be beauty filled,

Marcia