Sailboats and Salutes

. . . For a job well done

Not to brag, but I was honored last week. Truly, honest-to-goodness, honored. But not in the way we might think.

There was no plaque. No speeches. No applause. But as I think back to a quiet Wednesday night at Carrol’s Creek Cafe in Annapolis, Maryland with a few friends, I know what it means to be honored. Here’s why:

The seafood restaurant overlooks Spa Creek, which flows into the Severn River and on to Chesapeake Bay. Just sayin’, Spa Creek ain’t just a creek. It’s quite the body of water, large enough to house some big ole yachts. One of them, in the photo above, is roughly the size of Delaware.

And sailboats, lots of sailboats. We’ll get into that in a minute.

There is history at Spa Creek, so near to the United States Naval Academy. Across from our outside dining spot was the Annapolis Yacht Club, which dates back to informal beginnings in 1886.

In short, the backdrop was amazing. But the conversation, even better.

I was in Annapolis to speak at a ministry event the following evening, and these three—Pam, Nikki and Derek—took me out for dinner as we prepared for the fundraising dinner. Conversation was all over the map. I’d known Pam and Derek for years, Pam as executive director of the ministry and Derek, the board chair, through associations with another ministry. Nikki, on the board with Derek, was a new buddy.

We talked about the event, of course. We also chatted about current issues impacting the ministry’s work. And, we talked of family, of children, of grandchildren. It was a blast. But there was something else, too . . .

A quiet change

Pam would be announcing her retirement the following evening. She’s not retiring immediately—the succession will take place over the coming year—but she’s served this ministry 43 years. For. Tee. Three.

In pregnancy help ministries, executive directors serve, on average, less than five years. There are many reasons for this, too many to go into here. And many of them are good reasons like growing families, moves to new cities, all of that stuff. And yet, this is a challenging profession as each day, someone (and sometimes many someones) walk in the door facing tremendously difficult circumstances.

At these ministries, these women—and the men who sometimes come with them—are up against financial struggles, sexual trauma, medical issues, abuse, broken relationships and so much more. They are served and loved, without cost to them.

Need an ultrasound? Free. Testing for an infection? Free. Treatment? Free. Life coaching? Free.

Sitting at dinner, it struck me that Pam’s been opening those doors to hurting people for more than four decades. Since 1982.

In 1982, Ronald Reagan was in his first term as president. E.T. was the hit movie of the year. Michael Jackson released Thriller. Some basketball player for North Carolina hit a jumper with 15 seconds on the clock to defeat Georgetown for the NCAA Title. Don’t know if you’ve heard of him, but Michael Jordan went on to a decent professional career.

And Pam opened the doors of a brand new ministry in Maryland.

A story of hope

The ministry is still growing. Three locations. Thousands and thousands served. One of them was the guy who spoke the following evening. Eighteen years ago, he and his girlfriend walked through the doors. Pam and others were there for them.

He didn’t want this baby, wanted to end it. She was going through with it, no matter what. They split up, but not for long.

But when the baby was born, the guy was back. They figured it out, got married. They both grew in incredible faith and passed it on to their son . . . and then some.

Now they have five more children together. The little boy is now seventeen. He’s not so little anymore. He’s a high school football player. Ready to go to college and study Civil Engineering. One of the brightest young kids I’ve met. All because Pam—and because this work is never about one person, her incredible team—kept opening those doors, day after day.

So yes, I was honored that Wednesday evening. Because I got to see, in real life, what faithfulness looks like. It’s not loud, not boisterous and flashy. But it’s consistent. It’s solid. Not self-focused.

Yet quietly, over the years and decades, faithfulness captures our attention. It certainly grabs mine. I never planned it this way, but three weeks ago in this space I wrote about Jelly Roll and his new journey of faith. Then two weeks ago, about Matt Hammitt, now in his mid-40s, and his faithfulness as a Christian musical artist.

A salute to a faithful servant? I think so.

And this week I’m writing about Pamela Palumbo and her rock-solid commitment, staying the course for 43 years as she prepares for her next phase of life. With seven children and 20 grandchildren, I’ll bet it is going to be a blast.

As our evening came to a close on Wednesday, a line of sailboats cut through the water. coasting by our viewing post at the restaurant.

Of course, those sailing had no idea who we were or why we were there, so what I’m about to say probably sounds cheesy. I don’t care.

But looking back, it was as if God picked that moment to send those sailboats in front of us, each turning toward us and dropping sail, heading back up the river, almost like a bow and a salute.

Maybe God was saying, “This is for you, Pam. For forty three years of faithful service. Well done.” Like I said, maybe cheesy, but it makes sense to me. Because I firmly believe God ties this stuff together and makes it happen.

And I got to watch, all while hanging out with a friend who got up and did the hard work for 43 years. Honestly, in a day when so many jump ship when ministry gets difficult (I’ve wanted to do so more than a few times), it is awe-inspiring to see someone who has stayed faithful to the call. I was honored to be in the same space, for sure.

Because every day since 1982, instead of giving up, Pam got up. And got the job done. Well done, Pamela. May we all follow your example, in whatever we do.