"Gratitude is an Action Word"

Like many people, Bobbie hesitated when she was first asked to consider serving as a Stephen Minister. Having recently settled into retirement with her husband in Florida, Bobbie was searching for a new ministry niche. But was Stephen Ministry really a match for her gifts and experiences?

Twenty years earlier--back in Pennsylvania--a life-changing spiritual experience had given Bobbie a strong desire to reach out in service to others. As a result of her experience, she began mentoring other women. For Bobbie, ministering to people with needs was a way to give back to God what God had so freely given her.

But now retirement and a thousand miles separated Bobbie from her former life. While her husband was living his lifetime dream of warm weather and endless days of golf, Bobbie was surprised by how much she missed her children and grandchildren--and she was hungry for an opportunity to give back to God by serving others.

She began to pray that God would guide her to a ministry opportunity that would fit her gifts and experiences. Before long the pastor of her church announced that they were planning another Stephen Minister training class. "It really went over my head" Bobbie laughs, "because I didn't know what it meant. I certainly didn't think it had anything to do with me. Before long, though, a Stephen Leader approached me about being a Stephen Minister. Then an associate pastor approached me, and we set up a meeting to talk about it."

The associate pastor said she thought Stephen Ministry would be a perfect match for Bobbie. Bobbie wasn't so sure. After attending an informational meeting and talking to a number of Stephen Ministers, she had more doubts. "They were talking about helping people who were grieving the loss of a spouse or dealing with cancer, and I had no experience whatsoever in those areas."

Bobbie was about to walk out the door when another Stephen Minister struck up a conversation with her. "We talked," Bobbie said, "and I told her a little bit about my life. I also told her about my concerns and how I really didn't think I was in the right place." The Stephen Minister smiled warmly, touched Bobbie's shoulder, and said, "You are in the right place, and we desperately need you." For Bobbie, the Stephen Minister's words were an answer to prayer. She agreed to attend Stephen Minister training.

"I have never questioned my decision" Bobbie says. "I felt the presence of God in an unbelievable way when I went through training. In fact, I used to go home and tell my husband, 'Even if I never have a care receiver, my life has been changed. My life has truly been changed.'"

Soon after commissioning, Bobbie was assigned her first care receiver--a woman whose husband was dying of cancer. Even though Bobbie had never experienced cancer or the death of a spouse, she found that she was able to walk alongside her, listen to her, pray with her, and just be there for her--both in the days leading up to her husband's death and in the days following her loss. They have since brought closure to the caring relationship, but Bobbie continues to see her care receiver--sitting with her in church, meeting her for lunch occasionally, even going swimming with her.

"I believe in this ministry and it has enriched my life--unbelievably. What's it about for me? I believe "gratitude" is an action word. You can't just say that you're grateful; you have to show you're grateful. I really wanted to put my money where my mouth was. I found that Stephen Ministry is a perfect match for me and the perfect way for me to give back to God what God so freely gave me."