I'm borrowing inspiration and a few words today from Kelly Stamps, who hasn't blogged in a while, but she's sharing thoughts over on Instagram. I would guess that most of you who read here have also read her blog at some point in time, so you are generally familiar with her.
A couple of days ago, she wrote the following on Instagram:
"If you ask me who has ministered to me the most - I'm probably not going to name a pastor or a well known Bible teacher. I'm going to tell you with tears in my eyes that it was nursery workers who never got any glory but who held my babies and loved on them so I could go to church or Bible study. Ms. Gail was one of these. Worked in the nursery for what seemed like 100 years. She was grumpy (and if you knew her you know I mean that endearingly). She liked things her way. She fed babies boxes of graham crackers way too early to so many first time mom's horror. She hated the name Hollis and she let me know it. And my kids loved her. And so did I. She passed away today and I'm pretty sure God told her 'well done'. She had no social media followers. Didn't write a book. Never preached a sermon. But she made an impact on the kingdom for sure just like so many unspoken heroes in rocking chairs in church nurseries everywhere."
I cried when I first read it, though I have no idea who Ms. Gail is, because I LOVED the reminder that the quiet faithful ones are every bit as impactful for eternity as the ones who stand on a platform every week.
I have had Ms. Gails in my life, and I am richer for every single one of them.
* For the ones who bravely taught children's Sunday School every single week. When I was growing up, teachers committed to a year at a time. They didn't rotate every quarter or month. When they said yes, they made a huge commitment, and they showed up. Because of them, I know the books of the Bible in order and how to look up chapters/verses and how to pray out loud in front of a group.
* For the ones who also bravely signed up to teach VBS every summer. And play games with a bunch of energetic kids. And do crafts. And make snacks.
* For the ones who let me take my own turn working the church nursery when I was just a teenager and wanted to serve in a way that fit my skills. (For the ones who were willing to sign up to work WITH me. I'm sure I was a trial.)
* For the ones who encouraged me to join the church choir even though I had no particular musical ability. They stood by me (literally...probably painfully) and also taught me things about music that I hadn't learned in piano lessons.
* For the ones who encouraged me when I started teaching children's classes during midweek services. They made a point to seek me out and tell me the things I did well.
* For the ones who stood up in church to share their testimony, even though public speaking scared them. They taught me God is faithful in the lives of the normal, everyday people around me.
* For the ones who prayed with me at the altar during prayer services. They took time to care about what mattered to a kid.
* For the ones who, though separated from me in age by several decades, became my actual friends and taught me gobs of wisdom through everyday conversation. God bless senior citizens who want to befriend teenagers. It is NOT for the faint of heart.
If you are one of these, please know today that you matter so very much, and your ministry is critical to the future of God's children on this earth and then to the eternal Kingdom of God. Even if no one ever sees what you do, even if you never get recognized as the volunteer of the week, and even if you think you have wildly failed at your attempt to serve, YOU MATTER. (And you probably did NOT wildly fail at your attempt. I can nearly guarantee it.)
Earthly accolades are nice, but God's "well done" is the only one that matters.
Thank you, unlikely ministers in my life. Thank you for every sacrifice you made, every step you took outside your comfort zone, and every risk you took. You shaped me. I would not be who I am without you.
And for you? How about thanking an unlikely minister in your life?
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