Standing on the shoulders of giants

Living in a mixture of law enforcement, education and teen drama you never know what you might hear around our house.  No matter the time of day, I can guarantee there will be a youwouldnotbelieve conversation taking place.  You know what I mean.  Those conversations at the end of a long and stressful day or even early morning as everyone is rushing around trying not to be late.  Such conversations always start with, “you would not believe,” followed by whatever perceived injustice is going on with one of us.

As with any other night, I have a youwouldnotbelieve story.  More accurately, a Iamsohumbledby story.  I, like most people I know, am not thrilled to get up every single day to go to work.  That is not to say I don’t like my job, because honestly, I have one of the best jobs ever.  Who wouldn’t love a job that combines reading with technology?  Awesome!  I’m just saying if Trump were my last name, clocking in at 7:15 would not be at the top of my to-do list.

After the last couple of months, my views have drastically changed.  Being at school has allowed me to witness the heart of Liberty County.  I am so proud and honored to be apart of the Liberty County School System.  I have truly been humbled by the love and generosity that our school system is showing the Hellgren family. 

It is easy for people to sympathize, to see and feel for the Hellgrens.  But lets face it, sympathy doesn’t really get you much.  Which is where the Iamsohumbledby story begins.  I have witnessed acts of compassion from individuals, groups and even entire schools.  LCSS has collectively saw, felt and taken action for a little boy that most have never met.

I know to some extent it comes from being a Southerner.  We take care of our own.  But this goes beyond “the southern way.”  Of course people are giving monetary donations, but it is the heart donations that have humbled and blessed my life. 

So many people have given, given, and given some more as they continue to look for other ways to help.  It brings tears to my eyes, swells my heart with pride knowing I am part of something so miraculous.  Being part of a group that says, “Tell me how, and it will be done.  Tell me when and I will be there.  Tell me how much and I will give it.”  Oh yes, these are my people!

God says, “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  I needed to be reminded of this very lesson as I get lost in everyday routines.  In the way of our Lord, God provided the lesson for me. I witnessed an entire school system letting their lights shine, telling me to wake up.  Do my part.  Put fire to my candle.  It has been an extremely humbling experience! 

Now, I stand on the shoulders of giants.  No, not a person with superhuman size, strength and power.  I stand upon the shoulders of normal people.  People who grow in statue by their actions.  People who gain their strength by holding others up and never giving up.  People who receive their power from God.  The kind of power it takes to make a difference.  The kind of power that only flows from the one true Source.  Regular people giving their all, stacked upon regular people bypassing sympathy to firmly grab ahold of compassion.  Layer upon layer of normal every day people, oh yes, I am standing on the shoulders of giants. 

True, a tragedy did bring us together.  But a tragedy did not make an entire school system stand up and say, “I have something to give.  I will pray.  I can help.”  Seeing and experiencing this outpouring of pure love and compassion has me thinking twice about my job, the role I play in Team Brandon and the limits of my own heart.  I want to be apart of something that God has so obviously showed up and continues to bless the Hellgrens and those doing His work. 

My youwouldnotbelieve stories are now packed with love, generosity and humbled hearts.  That’s not to say that if I woke in the morning to discover I am the lost heiress to the Trump fortune that I would turn it down.  Oh no.  I’m just saying… that I could continue to be a part of an amazing group of giants.  I would somehow have to learn how to slow down, get up whenever and start a productive day at, say, 10ish.

Thank you to all the giants of LCSS.  You can never truly know how you impacted the Hellgrens, but look within your own heart.  I am certain there within lies a blessing of your very own!  Go ahead, look, do it!  I know what you will find because my heart carries the same blessing!