The Nominees Are...

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.
—Luke 16:10

Red carpet conversations, borrowed jewels on actors, shallow comments considered profound by the watching masses, who wears which designer, who looks best. Welcome to the Academy Awards—the annual festival of fashion that reminds me each year of who the real heroes of life are. They don’t walk red carpets!

When I think of people deserving an award, it has nothing to do with how much money they raised at the "Box Office" or whether or not they had the best musical score accompanying their daily work, or whether they had the best dressed award for daily style.

No. While interesting and entertaining, the Academy Awards have little to do with our daily lives.


When I think if those who are worthy of recognition, my mind goes to faithfulness, not heroics. Faithfulness, not stardom. Faithfulness, not popularity. Faithfulness, not power or position or glamour or wealth.

Faithfulness trumps everything in my book.

It seems that at this time each year my friends at Shawnee Mission hold the annual Associate Award dinner. I know we hold them here at University Community Health and our friends at Hugely, Metroplex, and CTCM also hold them during the year. Each event testifies to the same thing…FAITHFULNESS.

Consider those who for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 or 35 years have been faithfully bringing their best to work every day, every night, every weekend. Bringing blessings where there is struggle, hope where there is challenge, trust where there is worry, and shaping community that binds us together.

Think of the folk who faithfully go about their appointed work, doing it in such a way that your work and that of others is easier, more enjoyable, even more effective or more productive. Think of those whose daily work is focused on serving others seeking to bring healing and save lives.

These are those worthy of an award. An award of thanks and encouragement, an award that lets them know they have and are making a difference.

Guess what? You have the envelope with their name in it. You can give that award today! Give them a call. Send them a note. Let them know that in your eyes … their faithful witness is worthy of your thanks and appreciation.