7,022 days and counting
by Major Rhonda Harmon
It’s said, “Hindsight is 20/20.” I agree. As I look back on my years as an officer and ponder both good and difficult times, I can see God’s guidance at work.
In all things and all ways, officership is about teamwork; it’s not a solitary or solo effort. My husband and I create a team. My sessionmates are part of the team. My fellow soldiers, employees, family and friends are all part of the team. Community members and volunteers are also part of the team. We seek to serve God and give Him the glory. As the song says, “We’re all in this together.” (Insert High School Musical dance steps here.)
As our small corps prepared for another busy Christmas of kettles, toys and food, we were approached by a local church looking for help to run their Christmas toy program. In my pride of The Salvation Army Angel Tree program, I said we were just too busy with our own efforts but happily gave them our contact information should they decide to send families in need our way.
In January, the local church approached us again asking for help with their toy program. This time our team agreed to meet with them as they began planning for the next Christmas—in February! What we thought was a request for help with their program turned out to be a request for The Salvation Army to join their growing effort of combining local resources to serve our community more efficiently. Wow! This church wanted our corps’ experience in running a successful toy program to join with their vast resources of volunteers and other local services to better reach families in need.
I wasn’t prepared for what happened the next Christmas. While we had served 300 children the previous year, the next we served over 2,000 children and even more the following year. Through the efforts of this church combining services and creating an experienced team, every family who came through the doors was gifted an abundance of toys, free wrapping paper, a cartload of food, a full outdoor festival of games, lunch and a prayer team on hand for those who wanted prayer. No one turned down the prayer, and everyone left the festival blessed. It was surely a time of celebration and praise to God.
Hindsight is 20/20. Say “yes” to the nudging of others and explore the options when God presents you with an opportunity. Discover the joy of teamwork.
