This is Danielle. She started off as one of my nurses in Boston and has become a dear friend.

Today, Danielle is serving as a nurse at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. She has been doing this for years, including the year of the bombing.

When I asked her why she still shows up, she said, “Because if I didn’t, then fear, and those guys, would win.”

I share this with you today because I pray her statement impacts your heart as deeply as it did mine.

There will be times of uncertainty, times when people try to make fear the compass of our minds. Yet Danielle reminds us that there is a different way.

I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we keep showing up. May we choose to love and serve others, using our time, energy, hearts, and hands to be an extension of God’s love. And in doing so, while we may not be able to change someone else’s choices, we won’t allow others’ choices to change who God made us to be, vessels of love. Just like Danielle is today, and has been to me for the past nine years.

With gratitude and hope,
Shawn