L.I.F.E. Lessons (BILL)

This week’s L.I.F.E. Lesson comes from our very own, Bill Miller. For those of you who may not know, before Bill was a successful college soccer player, financial advisor, and volunteer fireman, he was one of my “youthers” for many years. Though I have many things I could highlight about Bill over the years, I have one story in particular that sums up the essence of everything Bill has (and continues to) teach me.

It wasn’t long after Bill started youth, that I realized Bill was someone special. No matter what I was doing, Bill was always willing and wanting to help. Whether it was passing out papers, putting out dodgeballs, setting up an activity, or rearranging the youth room for the one hundredth time (that may not even be an exaggeration if you know me), Bill was there right by my side. Bill very quickly, became someone I could rely on and needless to say, we got close.

On top of his willingness to help with things, though, was the encourager Bill was. Bill always made me feel special. When I was doubting if I was doing a good job with the youth, Bill was there, seemingly somehow reading my mind, and offering me words of encouragement, a hug, or even a small gift. Unbeknownst to him, Bill was sometimes the light God used to get me through a tough time in my ministry. Being so young when I started, I often lacked the wisdom and thus the confidence in how to handle it all. Just when I would be doubting God’s call in my life, Bill was there to lift me up.

This truly came into play, though, one year at GraceCONVO, when the infamous “uprising” occurred. Long story short, we had planned an event for the kids to do, and some of the students (and unfortunately even some of my young adult leaders) tried to rile up some of the other kids to reject that plan, so they could do something else. It was pretty malicious, highly disrespectful, and fed into all of the insecurities and doubts I had about leading the youth. I was beyond sad. I was enraged, and I also felt guilty for being so angry. I broke down.

I ended up going into my room, where Isaac and Myra met me (along with Mykaela) and talked with me and encouraged me in how to respond. They gave me words of affirmation, wisdom, and allowed me to just sit in my frustration. As soon as we were done talking and allowing me to decompress, Isaac opened up the door to leave. Bill was standing at the door, just waiting, and immediately came in. Without saying a word, he just came up to me, sat with me on the bed, and placed his head on my shoulder and gave me a hug. This probably continued for 15 minutes, of Bill just staying by my side and making sure I knew that he thought I was great. This was what truly brought me peace at the end of the day, knowing that what I was doing mattered and if nothing else, made an impact on this young man’s life.

Though this incident happened probably eight years ago now, the lesson has stuck with me ever since. This lesson is two fold. First, surround yourself with people who will bring you peace. There’s a reason the Holy Scriptures call us to “encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).” At some point or another, we all need a little encouragement, and God sometimes uses the unexpected to do so. It’s not always the older mentor, the significant other, or even your best friend who has the encouragement you need in a season. Sometimes, it’s the love of a child, a note from a student, or the unwavering kindness of a youther who God uses to transform your life.

Secondly, be the one who brings peace in someone’s life. As Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount, “blessed are those who are peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9).” I think back to the fact that Bill could’ve been doing anything else at that moment. He could’ve went to the pool with his friends, played video games in one of the other kid’s rooms, or simply done his own thing. He intentionally chose, though, to be an initiator of peace in my life and in the situation of his youth group. We are called to be those who don’t passively keep peace, but actively resolve it, with gentle words and the seeking of godly resolution. Don’t just surround yourself with Bills:  be a Bill to someone else.