Many are gifted
But not many can serve;
Pride tackles to the ground
While haste and arrogance robs
Humility that service demands.
In a sea brimming with gifts in glossy
Wraps, lacking quality and modesty
There are beautiful little stars
Twinkling, twinkling all the time.

For some of us, our heroes are men and women in distant places, who accomplished the impossible and earned their place in history. Some of us have not and may never come face to face with these heroes. For me, my heroes are everyday people, living wonders through the normal encounters we all are faced with. And today, I celebrate one of my heroines called Mona.

Monalisa Gondosari was a sweet and sassy teen first time I met her and her family in Church. Her physique gave you an idea of her age until she opened her mouth and you are left wondering why this old woman is wearing the body of a teen. That shouldn’t be a surprising feature: I have learned that children raised with solid Christian foundation are usually wiser than their age and mates. Mona’s was a little complicated because she is the baby of the family and uses that card every once in a while. You start off treating her like the adult she sounds like, then she pulls that card unexpectedly and you are compelled to wake to the reality that she is really a kid.

Mona’s big sister Anastasia (Tasia as we call her) was the keyboardist on our praise and worship team at the time. One word that describes the entire family is dedication to God and His work. They all come in early so Tasia could practice with the team and she is dexterous. Mona would play the flute every once in a while. She was so good on the flute and we wanted her to play but she didn’t come easy. Gord would have to ask and pet and encourage to get her to play and she is so herself that if she didn’t want to, she wouldn’t.

Tasia graduated from high school and was leaving for college and we were concerned about her replacement. Mona played the keyboard in the course of transition but it was still a concern how she would adapt. Well, it turned out there was absolutely no need for that concern: all it took was for her big sister to leave and this little one quietly and conscientiously filled that role. She turned out so good and her commitment so amazing that she played the flute and keyboard interchangeably at the same time. What changed?

Her academics made enormous demands on her but Mona made time to practice and often wowed us with pieces we weren’t sure she could handle. She was our star and the beauty of it all is that she did it all like it was no big deal. Having been closely involved, I know you don’t just show up on the stage and perform excellence: it takes practice and every time her fingers strum wonders in praise to God, I could tell how much price lay behind that performance. That baby of the family and of the group rose up as a dazzling saint whose gift blessed not only the heart of God our Father but also the lives of His people each time we gathered.

Weeks back, both of us were sitting in the congregation and after the praise and worship I said, “Feels good to enjoy it from here, right?” In her usual calm and emphatic Mona style, she said, “I should be there not here.” That was touching. She was in the thick of exam and had been excused to get that out of the way but she yet yearned to serve. Play this back to our earlier Mona version and you are watching the metamorphosis of a hero of faith I celebrate today.

I was to take a special number on Sunday but due to time constraint, we couldn’t practice. I didn’t feel comfortable to go ahead with the song so I asked her to just play whatever tune she could to fill the time. Mona would have none of that. I insisted that it is better to miss it than to mess it up. Next, she pulled up a short beautiful number we both were comfortable with and at the end of the day, it turned out so much better, as if we had practiced it to perfection. When I went to give her a thank you hug for that last minute miracle, she went, “I wasn’t going to let you give up on me: you don’t give up on me!” Did I mention she is still a teen? Mona has graduated from high school and will be off to College in a few weeks but she will leave a hole that will be irreplaceable no matter how many others come thereafter and how good they play. Why? Because it is not just about playing, it is a heart thing: attitude in service: precious and rare, to be celebrated wherever found.

In summary let me share two lessons Mona’s life and service will leave with me: many are gifted but not many can serve with their gifts. Service is not what we often attribute it to. It is not about gifts and skills, it is about the heart, the way we do what we do. Service is not forced. You don’t serve from height. You come down to serve. Some are so gifted and so high up they have lost touch with those they were called to serve. Secondly, excellence in service is not tied to age, so also is lack of wisdom and humility. This little one has touched my life and the life of everyone who has served with her. You cannot but miss people like this! In appreciation, I celebrate this young woman who was just our baby the other day; and through her life, I encourage everyone of us to look around, identify those around you who are serving in their little ways the best they can: appreciate them while you yet have them because time rolls by and never turns back; because people move on and may never meet again; because many are gifted but only few truly serve the King and His people with their gifts.

Glory!