The Journey

5 states. 12 towns. 16 homes and 2 long hotel stays. That is where the journey of my life has taken me thus far.


When I close my eyes, a sea of faces runs through my mind. People that I've known, spent time with, did life with.

It is honestly amazing (someone needs to invent a new word with a similar meaning) to think of the places I have been, the people I have met, the journey I have experienced. Each place that life has taken us to and through, we sometimes look back and wonder, "Hmm. I wonder what that was for?" I believe in a mighty God and I believe that He takes us through life with great intent and purpose. I believe that everything we do is for a reason. And every place I have lived, every job I have had, it has all been for a purpose.

And in the last week I have known that if the only reason we spent 8 years in Harrisonville, Missouri was so that we could know Gloria Evers, then it was all worth it.

I could never do her justice in a blog; there are not adequate words. That is not an exaggeration, just truth.

Gloria made everyone feel like they were the most important one. If she was with you, she was WITH you. She asked questions about your life and then listened to your answer. Her soul was so gentle. And I know of no other human who loved God as much as she did.


Listening to a few people share at her funeral I realized something huge. Every story was how Gloria made that person feel important, how she was there for the big events, how she prayed exactly the right prayer for someone, how she spoke the right words at the right time. And for those who know Gloria, you know it is true when I say I would not describe her as overly ambitious or a real go-getter. And so I wondered how she could be in so many places at just the right time doing just the right thing. And the light bulb came on for me.

Most of us run around doing lots of things, trying to cram as much into one day as we possibly can. We are busy, busy, busy and hoping that if we keep at it we might just find ourselves in the right place at the right time once in a while.

That was not life for Gloria. Her life was lived step in step with the Holy Spirit. She waited, and when she sensed the Spirit leading her to do something, she just did it. THAT is how she affected so many lives in just 53 years. THAT is how she made every person feel important. THAT is how she was able to love so generously. She listened to the Holy Spirit. And if she felt the Spirit telling her that she was not supposed to do something, she had no problem telling you 'no.'

She inspires us all to be better. We are so, so much better for having known her. That is not meant to sound like a cliche. It is heartfelt. My life is richer because she loved me.

I don't really believe that our 8 years in Harrisonville were for the sole purpose of knowing Gloria. There was so much that happened during that time; it was a great time for our whole family. But if somehow it WAS only for that purpose, I would be at peace with that.