April 12:
This one is tough to rein in to a manageable word count. There are so many. For the sake of narrowing, I'm going with women on this prompt. And I'm posting the full text on Facebook so I can tag some of them if you'd like to be inspired by them as well. I'll miss someone, but here goes:
Cece Jones-Davis. She is a force to be reckoned with. A fierce defender of marginalized communities. I have learned so much from her regarding death penalty abolition, defending the innocent caught in the crossfire of nation-state wars, racial reconciliation and much more. And she is a powerful preacher and teacher. You know you've been to Church when you have an opportunity to hear her speak.
Sharon McMahon. She was just as unknown as the rest of us before the pandemic. An excellent teacher, but unknown to most. During the pandemic, stuck at home, she decided to begin talking about history and government in her Instagram space. Her ability to educate, in a nonpartisan way, exploded on the scene. Since then, she has done online courses, raised millions of dollars for teachers, for those effected by natural disaster, to forgive medical debt, and much more. All of it, a few dollars at a time from her followers. She's written an excellent book, has a stellar podcast where I've learned so much. She has shown me that any and all of us can have an impact, big or small, and change at least the part of the world we've been gifted to touch, with our voice and our action.
Rachel Held Evans and Sarah Bessey. Both authors, Rachel passed away six years ago next month, Sarah is still writing and teaching. Both have had a profound impact on my life during a time I was struggling with a multitude of doubts around church and faith. Their books were, and still are, a healing balm. They have pulled me from the proverbial ledge more than once. Read anything they've written.
Shannon Martin. Also an author. Her books have taught me much on loving my neighbor. My real life neighbors with feet-on-ground, practical love. It's too easy to say we love our neighbors and our enemies, but if they do not feel that love or see it or hear it as love, it's not love.
So many more out there that I certainly don't have the pleasure of one-on-one contact with, but there's a taste.
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Now a quick list of folks I do have the pleasure of seeing in real life. Some often, others just occasionally:
Nicole Martin: A force to be reckoned with. She proves to me the value of your voice in a world determined to silence the marginalized. And she is abundantly kind.
Melissa Ford: She'll not be stopped in the arena of making this world a better place for those living unhoused lives. I have no idea when she sleeps, but she keeps me energized to always be looking for practical ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Jamie Zumwalt: The owner of Joe's Addiction, she lives everyday showing us what it looks like to love like Jesus.
Karen Hanscom: She is, quite simply, the kindest person I know. Just watching her move through the world reminds me that we can be fierce AND kind. We do not have to choose.
There are so many. I am blessed with a community of people, both online and in my real walking around life. Neighbors, friends, colleagues, community partners and a Church that inspire me to say what I believe, what I stand for, what I'm *for,* not just what I'm against, and then to prove it with my actual everyday life.
I want to close with these three, because they are both an inspiration and a high example of the reason I will not be silent in the things that matter in our world. My daughters, Erin, Grace and Kelly. I know them all well enough to know their fears as well as their joys. And they are fierce mamas, loyal friends, and spectacular wives to my boys. Everyone of them facing their fears, determined to be a part of creating a better world than the one they inherited.
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