Our community recently received encouragement, inspiration, and acts of love while facing some serious challenges and saddened hearts. Some awesome people stepped up to remind us that we are surrounded by some of the most wonderful, united, and compassionate human beings found on earth.

In the last week, we’ve had a peaceful compromise on use of the Red Flannel logo, gathered at Morley Park in a united celebration of faith, and celebrated the life of Wyatt Phillips.

In my 45 years in this community, these few days have been the most amazing community gatherings of God’s faithful servants. It has been overwhelming and almost too much for me to absorb in a short period. We are fortunate to have some of the best Christian and educational leaders and followers living here among us.

On Sunday, I heard several profound messages and challenges at the United worship service. The pastors, the music ministry, and the members of various churches who provided us with lunch, showed us the message of God’s true love for us. People of all ages and faiths gathered, free of traditional symbols from their particular denomination, yet sharing in the bigger picture of following, serving, and celebrating Jesus Christ. Strangers held hands to pray for peace, guidance, and love within our community and the world as a whole.

On Monday, I walked away from the funeral service feeling blessed to have known Wyatt and to have the Phillips family living within our community. The messages of this celebration were life-changing experiences. Zack Phillips challenged us to live with passion, and at the close of each day to ask ourselves if we had followed our passion and lived it to the fullest. The closing song, “Surrender,” challenged us to surrender our lives to God and reminded us we are not in charge, but God is, with the perfect plan for each of us.

Celebrations in both the park and the auditorium were filled with family, friends, and neighbors. It was a united display of this community’s concern and love for each other. God has placed the perfect people in our lives here in Cedar Springs. I am thankful to our Lord and Savior for placing such awesome people in our community. Thank you to those of you who are following your passion and surrendering your lives as servants to God, and who give so much only because you want to. You are making a positive difference.

Sue Wolfe

Cedar Springs