I’m convinced we idolize the wrong people in American society: movie stars, sports players, rock stars, country music singers, the rich and otherwise famous. Everyone wants to be  them.

Someone like Mary, the woman I met last night, not so much.

Mary has been the around-the-clock caregiver of her younger sister for twenty eight years, since their parents passed away. Her sister has Down syndrome and is now sixty years old.

Mary receives no acclaim, no ‘American Idol’ or ‘Emmy Award’, for her selfless act but she has just moved to the top of my personal hero list, for whatever that’s worth.

I lay awake last night doing the math. When Jon is sixty, if we’re both still here, I’ll be eighty five. The nightmare thought always lurking in the back of every parents mind is, who will love and care for my child after I’m gone.

As I thought on this, the familiar feeling of panic and fear began to surface, so I did the only thing I know to do when I’m afraid, I started to pray.

“Heavenly Father, pleasseeee let there be a Mary for my Jon when the time comes. I trust You with our future.”

God’s Kingdom is so very upside down from mans’. God does not put great prominence on things we deem important. He celebrates the small and unseen.

Jesus said if you give away a cup of cold water in His name you will be rewarded (Matthew 10:42). Imagine the award that is waiting for someone like Mary.

One day God will host the ultimate Emmy Awards show of all time.

I’m thinking Mary will be first in line.

Luke 14:12-14 “He also said to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid.  On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind.  And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Luke 16:15 (CEV) “ But Jesus told them: You are always making yourselves look good, but God sees what is in your heart. The things that most people think are important are worthless as far as God is concerned.”