Leadership Marshall 2022-23 w/out Miss Lynda
Last September, I was invited to speak at the Lewisburg Study Club about my writing journey. This is where I met Miss Lynda, a well-respected widow in our community. Unless you’re from the South, you might wonder why she’s referred to as a “miss” since she’s been married. It’s just the way it’s done here. Women older than us are referred to that way. My Sunday school kids call me Miss Jennifer. It’s not only quaint, but also a sign of respect.
I would guess Miss Lynda is in her 70’s—a spry, vibrant woman with red hair and a smile as big as the Mississippi River. She has her hand in just about everything in our county, which might be why she runs the Chamber of Commerce and the Historical Society and tends to be visible at every community event. She has a passion for the happenings here in our little berg. Maybe because her antecedents settled here before Lewisburg was even established in 1837.
The day after I attended the Study Club, I received an email from Miss Lynda suggesting that I join the upcoming Leadership Marshall Class. She said the application process had ended the week before, but she would make an exception for me if I was able to attend the orientation session.
You might be wondering what Leadership Marshall is. I didn’t have a clear understanding of it even as I agreed to join and sent in my application and registration fee. It might be easiest if I just quote from their website:
“Leadership Marshall is a program initiated by the Tennessee Department of Economic Development as part of its Three Star Community Certification and has been conducted through the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce since 1996. Since the inception of the program, the volunteer coordinator has been Lynda Potts.
The purpose of the leadership class is two-fold. First, members are exposed to a vast wealth of information about the city, county, and state. Second, members are allowed to network with others who share a common interest in the community. The camaraderie has been both exciting and rewarding for all graduates.”
Let me just say I’m not a joiner. In fact, I’m happy just sticking to my own little world writing books. But I felt this opportunity was of the Lord, and I wasn’t about to ignore it. I was nervous walking into the first meeting where tables were lined up in a U-shape. The seating was assigned, and it just so happened, I was put right next to the only person in the room I knew. It was a sign!
That was eight months ago. It would seem at first that the eighteen of us had nothing in common. Many of them knew each other already, which put me at a slight disadvantage. There were men and women of all ages with varied businesses from banking to a tattoo artist. Month after month, we gathered to learn something new about our community. State Government Day (at the State Capitol in Nashville), City Government Day, and County Government Day. Education Day, Industry Day, History Day, and Health Services Day. We crammed a lot of information in those monthly eight-hour meetings. And I learned a lot.
But what touched me most is the graduation luncheon I attended just before writing this blog post. Miss Lynda invited us to an event center in Lewisburg’s town square. She was always good about sending an email with instructions a few days prior to our meetings, and this was no exception. Usually, it was a guideline of how we should dress and a schedule of events. This time, it was a list of what we needed to consider ahead of time: the best advice ever given to you; a song title that would describe each of your classmates (that was a tough one); a “Think Question” which you’ll draw from a bowl. No way to prepare for this question, so be ready to think on your feet.
Although we’d been together for nine sessions, it’s difficult to get to know another person while listening to speakers or scurrying from place to place to find historical information. I knew what each person did for a living, that Jennifer (not me) was gluten intolerant, Jesse had been married less than two years—but he’d dated his wife for ten beforehand (all through high school and college). Jeri had been through a difficult divorce, and Anthony (the tattoo artist) had had a tough life. The list goes on, but you get the idea.
But when each person stood up today to share their “Think” question or the best advice they’d ever been given, there were more than a few tears, lots of laughter, and the realization that I’d truly miss these people. Somehow, they’d become something akin to friends. There were confessions of hurtful life experiences which knit us together in a way I’d never expected.
Had the Lord not led me to speak at the Study Club eight months ago, I would’ve never known this opportunity even existed. We plan to get together once a year—and I truly hope it happens. I’m sure I’ll see Miss Lynda around town—there isn’t an event of which she’s not a part. She left us with these words, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; mediocre minds discuss people. I want y’all to be great.”
What I hope you take away from this rambling blog post is that there are opportunities to become something bigger than ourselves everywhere we turn. If you’re like me, you’ll let the world drift by and never take part in your community. I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and see what the Lord will do with it. You never know what amazing people He has lined up for you to meet.
Comments 1
First I want to say that your posts are always interesting. I enjoy your perspective. In my life ( since you are my sister, you know) was taking care of my husband and I had few people in my life. My husband passed and I have since married my new husband. My favorite thing about him is his Christian faith. One day after church he took me to the house of the parents of our neighbor. Since then I spend time most days with the wife, Mickey. She needs a friend. Later my husband mentioned that he would like to start ham radio. I am also on this journey with him. We are meeting new friends every day. It’s amazing what God puts into your life when you keep Him in yours.