Making Ugly Beautiful
August 31, 2007 |
I just read a great news story: A woman raised over $7,000 for a local humane society by putting Michael Vick football cards, which had been chewed, slobbered, and generally destroyed by her dogs, for sale on eBay. I love this story for several reasons: 1.) I love dogs—particularly the “mean breeds” like pit bull terriers and Rottweilers (one of whom sits “purring” in his sleep at my feet); 2.) I hate dog-fighting and the “people” (monsters seems better) who participate in it even more than I hate puppy mills and the “people” who run them (as well pet stores who peddle the pups); 3.) I love anybody who supports her local animal shelter; and 4.) This woman is my kind of leader.
You know what I mean? The kind of woman who hears a story, sees an injustice, feels a pain, or gets dealt a blow, and instead of sitting back whining about it, says, “Huh. I can DO something about this.” And she does. She sees the ugly and tries to make it beautiful.
My friend Betty is this kind of woman.
Three years ago, almost to the day, she called me on the way to her oldest son’s annual pediatrician visit. “I hate that we have to do these,” she said. “Such a pain!” And she and I lamented the chore of loading up a car full of kids (she had three at the time and was pregnant with her fourth) and waiting around a doctor’s office for hours only to be given the “you’re doing great!” and be sent on your merry way.
But when she called me back a few hours later, I could tell something had changed. In fact, everything had: A routine screen had revealed her son had Type I diabetes. While not to say these three years haven’t had their ugly moments (as anyone dealing with a life-threatening illness in their child knows!), but Betty took this huge blow, gave it to God, and said, essentially, “Okay. You’ve got our attention. Please heal my boy, help us find a cure, and in the meantime, tell me what I can do.”
While no cure has yet been found (praise God, we’re getting closer!), God has healed her son of several catastrophic complications, and in the meantime, shown her exactly what she can do: to be a witness. And be a witness she has!
She’s presented her faith community with opportunities to walk along side (literally) those trying to manage their disease and find a cure by organizing this community into one of the biggest “teams” within the Kansas City Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s annual Walk to Cure Diabetes. And she presents the diabetes community with her faith at every opportunity. She’s become a tireless campaigner to the broader community—from delivering speeches to local business lunches to being interviewed by major magazines to appearing with her son on Radio Disney! In each of those opportunities, she shares both her passion for the need to raise money for the cure as well as her passion for the One who will ultimately provide that cure. (Click here to see one way she does all this!)
I love a leader like Betty because she mixes her leadership gifts with her life experience—even when it includes things she’d rather it not. I love this because it’s what enables her to become who God destined her to be—and it’s how she will leave her mark of God’s glory on this world in a way only she could. And I love it because it encourages the rest of us to look at pain and tragedy and all our experiences, good or bad, as opportunities to lead with our gifts in service to the God who gave them.
Caryn Rivadeneira, former managing editor of Marriage Partnership, Christian Parenting Today, and Women’s and Family Resources at Christianity Today International, is a freelance editor and writer. She and her family live in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on August 31, 2007
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Comments
While I share the author’s passion for social justice, I am struck by the characterization of a human being as a monster. Yes, human beings take despicable actions, but we have to keep in mind that God doesn’t rank the various sins we encounter in this life. I thank God that while he hates the sin, he deeply and passionately loves the sinner. When our outward sin encroaches upon others, it becomes more noticeable to those around us, but there are many attitudes and paradigms that are just as damaging, albeit not as visible.
I am reminded of Jesus’ response to the man in the Bible who had been overcome by a legion of demons. Jesus was so concerned about this man that he took time of his busy schedule to enter the man’s space and call for the demons to come out of him. Let’s pray that God would give us the capacity to love those whom we would characterize as unlovable, and the heart to pray for their deliverance. It’s not always easy. Let’s pray that God would use this situation in Michael Vick’s life to bring him to the end of himself and the beginning of a lifetime of knowing God intimately. Thank you, Father, for your incredible mercy.
Posted by: Marti on September 2, 2007
This is a nice reminder to offer support to those leaders who may be acting on their own in many respects. They need our prayers and encouragement--and when we can, financial support to their causes. It's such a blessing to see lives turned around and what God can do when you let him work.
Posted by: Ingrid on September 3, 2007
Glad to see some good out of the Vick situation.
www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
Posted by: Matthew on September 4, 2007
My husband emailed me today to point out a typo in this post--as well as to say he thought I made it sound like I made Betty's situation "too easy." Something he knows as well as I that it isn't true.
So I thought I'd clear up a couple things: First, I fixed the typo. Second, while Betty is an awesome leader, of course, it's not all been smooth sailing. She'd admit that right off the bat. So if anyone's struggling with something right now and not able to look to God as I wrote that Betty did, don't let this post discourage you. Even the best leaders have our desperate, doubting times.
And then I want to address the monster comment. I don't actually hate Michael Vick or any other animal abusers and do actually pray for these people--along with the animals. I don't think him unlovable or unworthy of redemption. He's claimed to have "found Jesus" and I pray he has. I'd love to see the further good that could come out of this situation.
Caryn
Posted by: Caryn on September 4, 2007