Inspired

10/24/2022

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

How will you shine your light?

I was bawling my eyes out late this afternoon, and it is all because of my sister-in-law, Linda. No, she did not hurt my feelings or say something offensive to me. On the contrary, she shared a video with me that made me ugly cry. I mean chest heaving, can't catch my breath, snot running down my face sobbing. She, dear reader, is doing the Lord's work every day in such a powerful way and touching the lives of so many young people who need to know the love of Jesus. 

The video was about a new group that is starting at the high school where she teaches religion. It is a national suicide prevention group called Hope Squad. Her school is the first one in her home state, New Jersey, that has adopted this program. It is 100% due to her faith, perseverance, and deep love and concern for her students. Last year, when she hit an obstacle, she didn't give up, and God blessed her school (and her) in a way that not even she expected. God always seems to do that doesn't He?  

The program was introduced via the school's daily news broadcast, the Daily Scoop. After a morning prayer was said, schedules were discussed, and the pledge was recited they showed the video about this beautiful suicide prevention peer program, and my dearest Linda was front and center promoting it with the same passion she puts into everything she does. Simply beautiful and profoundly inspiring. I started to cry even before that part began.

After watching about this critical mission, while still crying, I called Linda, and we talked for an hour about the program, her heart for her students, and how her greatest desire is to impart to them how much they are loved by Jesus. Her classroom is full of reminders of that love everywhere you look. She wants them to understand that no matter how dire things seem, there is always HOPE!

I am so blessed to have this powerhouse of faith in my life. We connect not only on a family level, or a friend level, but most deeply, on a faith level. She inspires me to want to live and love loud for Jesus in a bolder and more powerful way. 

Love you, Linda. God bless you always and in all ways.