Silent Saturday, one day away from a miracle

I was watching a Max Lucado sermon last night and he mentioned that today, the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter is called Silent Saturday.  I had not heard that phrase before.  For me Silent Saturday is a day that is the most humbling.  I'm reminded of the disciples of Jesus, who on this day, just one day after the crucifixion, must have wondered if this incredible man they had been following the past three years was the real deal or not. 

Can you imagine spending the time with Jesus, listening to his words, seeing his miracle.... it must have been superhero like.  I'm certain I would have thought he was indeed immortal.  Shoot he walked on water, he brought people back to life, he healed the sick, he did it all.  

And then he died.  And they carried him to a tomb and buried him.  I'm sure I would have been silent as well on this Saturday.  How could I possibly face my friends and family.  Don't you know some would have been trying to convince me all along to come home and get back to work.  And now my leader was gone forever.

So when I think of the silence of this Saturday I'm reminded that no matter how low I might feel at any given time, no matter how hopeless things might seem, I may be just a day away from the greatest miracle in my life.  

Isn't that what happened with Jesus?  The disciples, his family, his followers, were totally disheartened.  And then in one day the world changed forever.

Hang onto that thought as we work through this virus.  We are all in a very tough space.  But the world will change again.  Maybe tomorrow, maybe in a week, maybe next year.  But it will change.

And when it does, we can all celebrate together 

Jule's Essay for Boarding School

Jule's Essay for Boarding school
(Jules is my nephew.  I'm humbled)

Describe a person you admire or who has influenced you a great deal:

Many people have influenced me but one of the most important is my mom’s brother, Todd.  He has taught me the values of positivity, hard work and consistency. Todd has become a second father to me.  
Todd taught me the value of positivity. In 2016, he was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer.  He did 6 months of the most aggressive chemotherapy, which had no impact, and then did an experimental drug trial.   Miraculously, after 4 months of this trial, he had no cancer. I attribute his success against cancer to his positive attitude.  Todd is always grateful, always smiling. I remember visiting him in the hospital over Christmas and he was cracking jokes and making ME feel good.  Todd taught me that half the battle is my frame of mind and with the right attitude I can accomplish anything.

Todd taught me the value of hard work.  His day job is a commercial real estate broker but he also produces regional theater musicals, he’s president of his state fraternity chapter and he’s a deacon of his church.  What Todd is really known for is his mentorship. When he was sick, men who he had mentored over the years came from all over the country to support him. Even now, in the middle of his cancer fight, he’s actively mentoring.   Watching him work so hard and have such a big impact, reminds me that I am capable more.  When I am losing confidence on the football field, Todd is in my ear telling me to push myself and work harder. When my grades are slipping in school, he is there, reminding me to study harder, and that my education is the most important part of being a student athlete.  And when I'm going down the wrong path Todd sets me straight and make sure I stay focused.

Todd has taught me the value of consistency. He texts me every day, since I started middle school, to let me know he’s rooting for me.  He did this even during his intense chemo. These check ins make me feel cared for. He shows up every single day, good or bad and that’s taught me that the important things require the discipline of daily affirmation.  Because of his constant presence, Todd has been a part of every big decision I’ve made.
In conclusion, Todd is a second father to me, teaching me the values of positivity, hard work, and consistency.  I can always count on him to keep me focused and on track. Todd has been a big part of my life since I was little, and I know he will play a big part in my decisions in the future.