I Am Second

If you've got 10 minutes to spare, watch that video. 

CUW was actually useful today.

It was about this "I Am Second" campaign.  They played that video from a rapper named LeCrae, whom I don't think I'd heard of before today, and another one from Bethany Hamilton, the pro surfer who came back after a shark attack, and at first I was confused as to what was going on. 

Then, I was enthralled.  It was a very good lesson for me that you can't judge a book by its cover.  But more importantly than that, I was inspired.  Inspired to REALLY make myself second.  To start really practicing what I preach.  To start completely freefalling into God (I'm scared of heights! ;)) without looking back.  To stop worrying about me and what makes my life better.

I've been trying to do all of these things to a much greater extent this year, but it's not enough.

It will never be enough when I have a free ride to a beautiful university and my Compassion son and his country are dealing with torrential rains and deadly floods without a quarter of the resources we Americans have to deal with natural disasters.

I have to do more for others.  End of discussion.

Also at this CUW, a guy I know from my History class, got up on stage and spoke for a minute.  We'd said hi in passing, and we've been Facebook friends for a short while, but I didn't know much about him other than his name is Gabe and he's dating a girl named Audrey.  Well, Gabe got up to announce that he and Audrey went to church on Sunday and they heard about a 4th grader from a nearby town who was just diagnosed with leukemia, so they were selling  hot chocolate outside to raise money to help her family.  He shared, he said for the first time in public, that last year on his birthday, his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and all he wanted was someone who understood; his mom is cancer-free now, but he felt he had to help this little girl out.

It was about all I could do not to cry right there.  But I made it through CUW, and thankfully it ended with a few minutes to spare so I could go to the hot chocolate table outside before my 11:00 class.  I gave them $5, then asked him to talk for a minute, and when we walked a few steps away from the small group of people at the table, I thanked him for sharing that.  One of the hardest things about losing my dad is how much of a secret people think they need to keep scary things like cancer and death.  And the fact that he got up and shared that with 700 people, even though his mom is fine, meant a lot to me.  He was so sweet about it, he even teared up while I was talking, which I certainly didn't intend to do, but it showed how much he cared.  I'm just glad he couldn't tell my legs were shaking.  I don't know why talking bothered me this time, but it did.

Then, later, I heard him tell a friend that he and Audrey were trying to figure out when they could go visit her, and I asked if I could come.  So hopefully he keeps me updated with when that will be.  I will be honored to brighten this girl's day even just a little bit.

Today has been a good day.  A day of conviction.  Conviction I needed.  From this day on, I am REALLY living for Christ.  I am making myself second in all things.