Today I went to the beach with some friends and as I waited for God to place a person on my heart, one of my friends mentioned something about The Avett Brothers concert. My ridiculous train of thought led me from that to Asheville, to who went to the Asheville concert to none other then Sarah Hord. Sarah Hord and my story begins back when I was the biggest punk to ever walk the grounds of Camp Merri-Mac and she was forced to out up with me. From day one where her first nick-name from me (Swordfish) was established, I admired her wisdom and beautifully captivating spirit. She taught and encouraged me in ways that were done, simply out of love for a sixteen year old who didn't understand the first thing about love. The next year, I was lucky enough to be under her care for another summer of growth, fellowship, time in the word, and refusal to sleep in any bed that wasn't hers. She also developed 2 new nick-names(Mom and Big Papa) which I still frequently use when referring to her.
Knowing her now, I am more blessed then ever to see how God has used her in my life to teach me first about myself, and now about His love. Her heart is so beautiful and her patience is unlike any other person's I have ever met. She loves in a way that could only be Jesus' love radiating through her and takes the time to genuinely invest in other people's lives. The greatest thing I have learned from her is that truly loving people requires more then a "how are you?" or "love you!!" It requires the ability to look past the exterior and simply see the heart of a person. It requires patience for those who are slow to be vulnerable with others, and it requires you to be vulnerable with others in return. I couldn't be more thankful for the role model Christ gave me in her, I love you forever Big P.
Romans 12:12
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
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