Deeper Dive - Strength through Vulnerability - August 16, 2022

A surprise call changes a perspective

One of the best parts of working for a non-profit organization is getting the occasional “out of the blue” phone call from someone wanting to make a donation to the organization. It doesn’t happen often, but it happens enough to not classify such an occurrence as a rare event.

Such is what not too long ago. I received a call from a private school in the south suburbs of Dayton. We were informed that the students at the school divided themselves up into teams and performed a series of challenges. The team who won the most challenges chose a local non-profit to support.  Somehow, our organization was chosen. 

I say somehow because our organization really isn’t that well known south of the big city. Most of our work, our locations and our beneficiaries are located north of downtown. Also, given the large number of non-profit organizations within the Dayton area, I was certainly surprised that we were an organization that was chosen.

I was invited down to this school and the students had crammed into the cafeteria for the presentation of the checks to the organizations that were benefitting from the student’s hard work. I was pleased to know that our organization was not the only one being honored that day. A program that helped refugee children learn was being recognized. Another program that helps provide bedding for homeless children was being honored as well. The students talked about the programs in great detail; it was obvious that these young minds did their homework.

Through hearing these explanation I still couldn’t get the large, nagging thought out of my head: How did this group of students hear about us? I was about to get a huge reality check.

The microphone was passed on to this youngster. In a nervous tone this high schooler said words that were beautiful, yet haunting. “I remember when I was younger, our family struggled. New Path helped feed my family.”

All at one time, there was a huge rush of emotions inside my mind. I was struck by how such a sense of generosity and charity has stuck with this young adult. I was satisfied that the hard work that has been done by so many people here at New Path were paying off in dividends that could not be measured. 

But most importantly, I was in absolute sheer awe of what I heard from this youngster. There was such a feeling of strength in the vulnerability of this story. There are a good number of people in poverty who are proud. They are too proud to receive the assistance that is offered from a hand that cares. They are certainly too proud to admit they need the help.

Yet, there was this high schooler, willing to stand in front of her entire school and admit at a time that she and her family needed help. I cannot remember the last time I saw such a feat of strength.

I accepted the big sized novelty check from the young lady and thanked her, her team and her school. Or at least, I hope I did. In all honesty, I was an emotional mess and nearly lost it on the stage in front of all those students.

As I pondered and reflected all that had just happened, I left the school thanking God for the experiences that just happened and for revealing the mystery that had been on my mind; how was our little organization chosen for such a large recognition.

And then it hit me. Our organization may be small, but our impact is huge. Of course, our service numbers and the financial reports are important to give attention, there are other things that just can’t be measured. How do you measure the memories of a teenager? How do you measure the impact of a group of people who are living out the commandments of Christ? 

The reality is, I don’t think you can. All we can do is love and care for those that are brought to us. And occasionally, that love we show is reciprocated. And sometimes that reciprocation is in the form a teenage goal being able to tell our organization’s story much better than I ever could.

I’ve had my say, what is yours? Feel free to leave a comment and don’t forget to “hit that heart”. Thanks!