The most important people in my life are not on billboards or TV. The most important and influential people in my life are not famous. They are not world leaders or politicians. The most important and influential people in my life, I run into and meet every day. They are the ones who are walking down Main Street at the same time as I am. They are the ones who taught me stories from the Bible. They are the ones who gave me advice on life decisions and gave me comfort in my sorrows. The people I can rely on to lead, teach, and support me are those in my community.
This has been a historically difficult summer. When the storms came, when the world stopped, when our community held its breath and tears, the truest leaders stepped forward. It is essential to acknowledge the tragedy of this Summer. The mainstream media has continued on its cycle of clickbait and catchy headlines, but our community is still hard at work trying to heal and rebuild. Lives have been permanently changed, and people are still reeling from the quick and merciless river that so many of us enjoyed peaceful days of floating down amongst the cypress. Talking about this summer will always bring a tear to my eye; however, my heart fills with pride as well. The Sunday after that awful night, men and women by the hundreds and thousands rushed to begin searching for the children. Our very own Boerne and Sisterdale volunteer Fire Department rushed to begin search and rescue operations. I saw firetrucks and emergency vehicles from Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, all over Texas ranging from the East Texas pines all the way to the West Texas Desert, California, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Virginia, Colorado, Lousiana, North Dakota, Ohio, Minnesota, Arizona, Virginia Beach, Nevada, Indiana, Kansas, Florida, and South Carolina just to name a few. Our very own men and women of Kendall County stepped forward and up to take on the immense tragedy.
The reason I write about the tragedy and what Kendall County and the Hill Country did is because this is a perfect example of God giving an opportunity for the men and women He has prepared to fight and serve to do so. In my short life, I have learned that the greatest men do the hard things when they could have chosen the easy path. I know of many people who put their lives and deadlines on hold to go and search and support. I know many people who donated and brought food and supplies to fire and police stations, as the lights never turned off. There are people who stepped forward and took advantage of an opportunity to not only help people but also their community as a whole.
It is our responsibility to work hard for where we call home. Far too often people, as a community, turn to convenience rather than supporting one another. Currently, I am in law school, which is taking up a significant portion of my time. Between being on the Law Journal, competing in Mock Trial competitions, and preparing for the Texas State Bar Exam, I have difficulty finding time to eat, let alone volunteer and attend church. But surely my commitments to school outrank my community and family? There is a story that answers this.
Long ago, in the days of Christ, a man was walking down a road that was notorious for thieves. He was traveling to town where he would hang his hat. When he was a good ways down the road, he was attacked and robbed. The thief left him for dead. A priest happened to be going down that road and came upon him. He simply stepped over him and continued on his way. Some time later, a Levite came to him and saw him. He ignored him and continued on his way. Then, a Samaritan came upon him. He had sympathy for him and picked him up. He bandaged his wounds and dressed the bandaging with expensive medicines. The Samaritan then placed him upon his donkey and took him to an inn. He took care of him for the night. The next day, the Samaritan paid the Innkeeper. He said, “Look after him, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may need to spend on him.” The Samaritan kept his word.
We shall not be the priest or the Levite. We will be the Samaritan man. Jesus told that story over two thousand years ago, yet the meaning and purpose ring so true. To love our neighbors is foundational to having a community, but if I isolate and focus on my needs before those of my community, then I am no better than the two men who ignored the hurt and dying man. Our commitment to digging roots and allowing ourselves to grow into strong trees is more important now than ever. It is more important now than ever to support local businesses. It is more important now than ever to support your local authors and restaurants. It is more important now than ever to find a faith-based group and invite them into your home and lives. It is more important now than ever that a house is not just a place to eat and sleep but a place to commune.
Having deep roots and deep dedication to where you are from or where you plant yourself is how we create a strong place to raise families and grow old. Having a place that is safe, successful, and sustainable starts with all of us loving our neighbors like the Samaritan.
More from the BetterMENt column: The neighbors who shape a life are often the ones who choose to invest in young men. Read Men Need MENtors, on what one mentor can change. For another piece on Kendall County as a place worth committing to, read The Art of Saying HOWDY.
