The greatest thing is to be found at one’s post as a child of God, living each day as though it were our last…. ~C. S. Lewis
Karen Hearl was not what I expected.
Face it. Leaders who love the center stage, eyeing with suspicion any threat from the wings, are a dime a dozen. Proud, competitive spirits hidden beneath layers of insecurity are as common as lip-stick stained Starbucks cups.
But Karen was not common.
You can find her in the photo, on the left, her head higher, her smile wider than the rest. But Karen stoops, her arm, as always, drawing someone to her heart.
Meeting Karen
I knew her by reputation–as a legend, a ground breaker, earth mover, people shaker of her generation. But seven years ago, blown by the winds of chance and the Spirit, we landed in the same church, and I needed Karen’s help. We met one hot July day over grilled prawn salad and herbal iced tea, and shared our stories.
After listening for a while to her impressive pedigree, I toyed with my lemon wedge, dejected. Who was I to ask Karen to join my team? I should be following her.
I was about to launch a new ministry, with a difficult to explain, you’ll just have to experience it kind of vision. I needed leaders with a certain kind of heart to join me in creating a safe, loving, open-armed community for disconnected women–centered around Bible Study. Karen listened to my sputtering spiel, and grinned, “I will do whatever you want me to do–set up tables, make decorations, bake cookies–anything you need, I will have your back.”
And my back she had.
Having led for many years, she submitted to my leadership. Every week, she came ready with a word of encouragement, a story of God’s faithfulness, a challenge that lifted my chin above the mess of the moment. Though accustomed to life in the spotlight, Karen now turned the spotlight on everyone around her.
How rare and refreshing! An intelligent, confident, passionate, hold-nothing-back leader who openly celebrates and self-forgetfully advances the reputations of others. For too many of us, sharing the spotlight is more painful than not being in the spotlight at all.
Spotlighted leaders crowd the stage with yawning frequency. But spotlighters are rare–those who strain every muscle so as not to miss a moment of someone else’s glory. You will be delighted when you meet them, beaming behind the spotlight, and maybe you will think of Karen.
Karen Hearl (1939-2013), with her husband Alan. Adieu, dear friend.
Who has been a spotlighter in your life?
