I wish you could meet three people who each made a big impression on me this past year. If you could, you'd understand immediately what this issue of Activated is about.

The first was a busboy who cleared my table from his wheelchair with such outgoing charm that I wasn't a bit surprised when the manager told me on my way out that he considered that busboy his most valuable employee. "More people come back for him than for the food," the manager confided.

The second was a blind beggar whose smile and heartfelt blessing has me looking for him whenever I'm in the area. Jesus said that it's more blessed to give than receive; my blind friend makes believers.

The third was a middle-aged cashier whose "Have a nice day"--after who knows how many hours on her feet--was so genuine that she completely turned my day around. Never mind that she said the same thing to every customer before and after me, I was the one drowning that day and she was my lifesaver.

What is it about people like these three that leaves us envious--not of their circumstances, perhaps, but of their cheerful dispositions? Like angels in disguise, these unlikely champions of goodwill seem to say to us, "Join the team!"

In search of their secret, I looked for a common denominator--how they manage to not only rise above adversity, but to take so many others with them--and I think I found it. They're all so genuinely thankful for what they have that they don't waste time wishing things were any other way. That kind of victory comes only from knowing and feeling secure in God's love. If you don't feel that way at this moment, I hope you will by the time you finish reading this issue of Activated. Join the team!

Keith Phillips
For the Activated family