When I look at this year's heroes, I see one common thread running through. They all convey this kind of steadiness. Granted, in many cases that calm may be like that of a duck on a still lake--gliding along apparently effortlessly--all the while their legs are churning like mad under the surface. If you were to ask them how they stay so cool, so chill, so even-keeled they'd probably be amused. "You have no idea," they'd chuckle. So I guess it's really more about how they make the people around them feel. Peaceful. Loved. Listened to. Cared for. Somehow they've alchemized whatever challenges they've faced into grace, compassion, and reliability to those whose lives they touch.
This year's heroes are four men and three women. They are three pastors, one nurse, one lawyer, one retired administrator, and one student. One of my heroes, I have never met before--she's accomplished much on the world stage. One I've known my whole life. Interestingly enough two of the people are related on this list--they are aunt and niece (And the mother of the niece has made this list in years past. I find heroism does tend to run in families). Sadly, if I had posted this entry just a week earlier, one of the men on the list would have been able to read his tribute. But at least he knew he was an inspiration already. This was his second nomination, having appeared on the 2019 list as well. You can click on his name in the list below to read how he inspired me then.
Here they are my heroes and inspirations for the year 2023:
Keith Goodman & Ndubuisi Nwade
Leah Cox
Shawn Monk
Primah Kwagala
Roland Thomson
Ndubuisi Nwade & Keith Goodman
I'm inspired by their graceful & grace-filled courage
Love is not the easy thing. It's funny how often we say we "just" need to love people. The dynamic duo of Pastor Goodman, currently senior pastor at Ephesus SDA Church in Columbus, Ohio and Pastor Nwade, associate pastor at Ephesus, understand that inspiring a church to be motivated by love and grace is anything but easy. It takes intentionality, it takes wisdom, it takes compassion and humility. And most of all it takes courage. Both pastors have demonstrated those traits as they launched an ambitious effort to help our church fully realize it's goal of becoming a graceful and grace-filled place where everyone feels like they belong. I'm honored to work as an elder alongside them in this goal. These days I've got a lot of conflicted feelings about the way we've traditionally done church and the burdens we place on men and women when we give them the title and authority of pastor. But I have to say, if there's a right way to work within this system Pastor Goodman and Pastor Nwade have figured it out.
Leah Cox
I'm inspired by her quiet leadership
Leading middle-schoolers is a bit like herding cats. It's not for the faint of heart. And I imagine it's doubly hard when you are their peer. Yet Leah managed to pull off this feat with impressive grace, a cool head, and a wry sense of humor. As president of her 8th grade class, Leah managed to coordinate the daily snack cart sales, work with the officers, and even launched a brand new fundraiser for the class--the annual school hoodie sale--that will help support 8th grade classes for years to come. She also lobbied the school board to purchase new lockers for the middle school. She did all this while maintaining top grades and positive relationships with all of her classmates. Never mind, 8th grade, I think we might have been better off if Leah had been leading the entire country these past few years!
Shawn Monk
I'm inspired by her authentic compassion
There is strength in tenderness and power in love. Compassion has an impact for more powerful than we imagine. Shawn seems to intuitively understand these truths. Her heart is tuned to those who struggle, those in need, those who are hurting. Reaching out with kind words, a heartfelt prayer, and helping hand just seem to come naturally to her. Over the years, I've watched her reach out time and again with care and compassion. My family and I have been the recipients of her care--whether offering a place to stay when we were waiting to move into our new home or watching our kids when emergencies arose, or simply offering a caring word or prayer. Shawn doesn't reach out because she's "supposed to" or because she wants to "look good" to others. Shawn's love is authentic. She loves because that's who she is.
Primah Kwagala
I'm inspired by her clear-eyed advocacy
She was one ray of hope in an otherwise sad story. I first came upon Ms Kwagala's remarkable work as a human rights lawyer and the founder of the Women's Probono Initiative while watching a documentary on the disgraced missionary and aid worker Renee Bach. It seemed like the key players on both sides of the story were stained by ignorance and self-congratulatory hubris. And then Primah Kwagala arrived on the scene. She's no nonsense, sharp, humble, and compassionate. She's not about to become a tool in anyone else's machinations. Most important of all, she prioritizes the truth and the welfare of the women and girls she represents. The documentary Savior Complex is a sobering look at what happens when do-gooders overreach. Primah Kwagala is a reminder that good actually can be done in the world.
Roland Thomson
I'm inspired by his gentle wisdom
Uncle Roland always has the best stories. My mom's brother seems to have an endless treasure trove of funny anecdotes from his youth, unusual people he's met, and fascinating adventures he's been on. Not to mention an amusing penchant for "dad jokes." But what really inspires me about Uncle Roland is his wise insight and Godly counsel. He has a remarkable calm about him then tends to calm you down when you're worked up. And he has a kindness and compassion that makes you feel really listened to and understood. Even when a crippling injury left him in the worst pain of his life and bedridden for weeks earlier this year, he still managed to come out of that experience with powerful insights that I found encouraging in my own journey. Whatever the situation, you can count on Uncle Roland as a calming, steady, presence. And as a bonus he'll probably have a good story too!
Sam Ulett
I'm inspired by his positive outlook
He was the first person I wanted to call. Grief is strange like that--that often the first person you want to tell, the one you know would get it, is the very person who is gone. I know I would have found in him joy through tears, hope through the pain. Pastor Ulett went through a lot, and he struggled like anyone would. But through it all, I've been inspired by his hopeful outlook and positivity. He never minimized pain or trivialized suffering. He wasn't one for cheap platitudes or easy answers. His hope was hard-earned and as real as the pain he endured. Check out this short reflection he shared on Facebook the summer before last, and you'll see what I mean. Just like Jacob, Pastor Ulett, wrestled with God. And like, Jacob, he prevailed.
I miss Pastor Ulett's joyful laugh, his easy smile, his enthusiasm for the things of God. All these things are gone now. But the hope and encouragement he passed on remains, and will live in the hearts of those of us who know him and love him. For Pastor Sam Ulett the Future was--and still is--bright.
