When Morgan and I were down in Cameron Parish on the forth we had the heartbreaking privilege of treasure hunting with Stephanie.
She had lost her home in Rita and again her house was completely irreparable after Ike. We were sliding through each mud covered room salvaging what we could.
It wasn't a fast, adrenaline powered job. We worked slowly, somberly, treating every possession, whether lost or savable, with reverent care.
In one of the kids rooms, under a water damaged mattress and boxspring we came across a yearbook, completely covered and mangled by mud and water. It had probably made it through Rita.
Now all the memories and loyalties and attachments that a yearbook can create or recall were gone.
On my way out of one room, seemingly finished, Stephanie stopped me. "Can you get that too?" She pointed to a tiny pink wind chime hanging from the ceiling in the back corner of the room. Small enough to be missed by me but unforgettable to Stephanie. I got a stool and lifted it off its tiny hook and she placed it among her savable items. It was a hard day.
But Stephanie's constitution and her deep hospitality and love overshadowed any anger or sadness or selfishness that would be completely acceptable and expected from someone who has lost everything... again.
Stephanie's brother brought water to drink and Stephanie and her friend Cheryl got lunch from the Salvation Army food truck for our team. When she had so much work to do and so much must have been going through her mind, she stopped to make sure we were fed.
At the end of the day we sat around outside and just talked with them and listened to their individual stories. Her house devastated behind us, mud covering every article of clothing, we sat and shared and became friends.
Perseverance will always seem attainable to me after meeting Stephanie and her family. Most unforgettable is her giving heart.
A few days after we got home I got a call from Stephanie.
She said that she really wanted to make our crew dinner as soon as her food stamps were in.
She is living in a hotel room with no money, no home, waiting for assistance to buy food so that she can make us dinner. I have thought this, and said this so many times... I am so blessed.
When people thank me I cannot help but say it back. If only they knew! If only they could see what they show me... about life, about hope, about love... about Christ!
If only they knew how God was using them!
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