God’s Got Your Back

My newest recruits into Operation Grateful Nation. And this picture only covers half the room.

Tuesday evening I had a “meeting” at my home and invited everyone willing to come help us renovate a Gold Star family’s home. I had a few board members from our non profit, a couple of good friends, and two teens show up. Yes, it was short notice, but I will say I felt a little…under-staffed. I know the scope of the work that has to be done, and I thought, “Whoa, Lord. It will take a miracle to get all that work done if these are the only helping hands I have.”

The Lord laughed.

Last night, my good friend, Gold Star mom, and co-conspirator– Karen Zook– had a meeting in Port St. Lucie, where the Schumann family lives. A large cafeteria at a lovely private school was the designated meeting spot.

People poured in.

I had to hold back tears.

After opening in prayer, I stood in front of this group (who by next weekend will feel like family) and told them about our non-profit’s mission to bring hope and help to America’s Families of the Fallen. I bragged on all of y’all and told them how our community gave gifts at Christmas to Gold Star kids. How we remembered the widows at Valentine’s Day and made bouquets. And I proudly told them about Gold Star Mother’s Day Weekend, where every one of you helped by donating, working, and praying for the incredible weekend we provided those mamas.

More than a few in the audience were crying.

Then I told them what we were going to do in honor of Spc. Jordan H. Schumann and his mother, father, brother and sister.

I told them a laundry list of areas that needed work and of supplies we would need. They looked back at me undaunted. I felt as though I were staring into the face of a newly minted platoon.

“Any questions or suggestions?”

Hands went up and they all gave me brilliant ideas. Things I hadn’t even thought of. God had definitely brought me some incredible helpers. Many of them were representatives of local churches, heads of youth groups, or families that were going to dedicate as much time next week as they could.

A gentleman stands up and says he works at a local fire department. All his guys are going to come as many times during the week as they can. “If they ain’t at the firehouse, they’ll be at the Schumann’s.”

An officer stands up. “That road is very busy, and I foresee traffic bein’ a real problem. I’m head over that whole area so I’ll get my guys on it and make sure you don’t have any problems that way.”

“Do we need to sign up for times? What if we can’t commit to the whole week? What hours will you be there?”

I assured them, I had no expectation of anyone being beholden to some pre-arranged service list. We all had the same goal. The same Holy Spirit. The same drive. “You come when you can, stay as long as you can. We’ll be going round the clock.”

I left with a list of names, phone numbers, and emails. After the meeting, many of them came up and told me specific areas of expertise and supplies they had. How they knew the Schumann’s. How excited they were and happy to help. How they knew Jordan specifically and how much this incredible family meant to the community.

I left amazed. Tuesday night I had felt like I was crazy…I mean I was hopeful, but crazy. Last night, I saw a small glimpse of the miracle that will unfold next week.

[bctt tweet=”Lesson of the day: God’s got your back. If He asks you to do something, He has a way for it to get done.” username=”lyettereback”]

If you are interested in helping us renovate the Schumann home, contact me through facebook. If you’d like to make a donation, click here. And if you would keep us in prayer, I’d be so grateful.