A Note from Bruce Main:
This week’s Advent reflection comes from Lindsey Markelz, our Vice President of Development and Finance. Lindsey has been part of the UrbanPromise story since 2008. I’m grateful for Lindsey’s thoughtful leadership and the faith, care, and diligence she brings to this community.
Mary said “yes” – and so did Ms. Patterson
Ms. Patterson is a beloved grandmother at UrbanPromise. Present, supportive, and engaged – all the attributes that school staff appreciate from caregivers.
If you were able to join us for the Night of Promise, you’ll recall Ms. Patterson and her grandson Anthaney sharing their story. At age six, Anthaney and his younger brother, Eyen, five, moved in with their grandparents. Ms. Patterson hadn’t planned for a second round of parenting—but she said yes.
With a desire for Christian education, she enrolled Anthaney, and later Eyen, at our elementary school.
As a child, Anthaney’s emotions were high. He was impulsive. He reflected, “I was a crazy little kid—throwing desks, acting out. I was mad because my dad wasn’t around.”
Pushing the limits of what our small school could handle, Ms. Patterson worked closely with the staff and engaged external support. She leaned into understanding what her grandson was going through and what he needed. She said “yes”.
Now a 7th grader, Anthaney has matured. He’s an impressive kid, a leader among his peers, and he’s self-reflective, continuing to grow. He served as the “host” for our Night of Promise program and impressed us with his confidence and charisma.
A couple of weeks later, Ms. Patterson joined a zoom board meeting to share some of their story. After reflecting on all that she, her husband, and the UrbanPromise team did collectively to care for Anthaney, a board member inquired, “So, what made the difference.”
Ms. Patterson paused, then leaned toward the camera on her monitor and said, “Honestly? It was Jesus.”
As the caregiver of a child who was having a hard time and acting out, I’m sure she toiled, wrestled, got exhausted. And throughout, she waited for Jesus. She sought guidance through prayer. Day by day, she continued to say “yes”.
— Stephanie Duncan Smith
Today, we celebrate Anthaney’s story and we have the benefit of hindsight. Seven years ago, Ms. Patterson did not know how the story would unfold. She had faith; confident in what she hoped for and assured of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1).
“I know the assignment God gave me,” she notes. With two young men at home approaching their teen years, her assignment continues.
Author Stephanie Duncan Smith reflects on Mary’s “yes” to God as a choice for expansion, a choice to grow, despite the risks of her own comfort, safety and reputation. She writes, “We enact our own advents every time we brave reaching beyond the borders of the self toward each other.”
In this season, may we be inspired by the love and faithfulness of Grandma Patterson and reminded to continually stretch ourselves toward growth and toward love, despite the risks.
In doing so, we echo Mary’s “yes” to God and enact our own advents.
Lindsey Markelz
Vice President of Development and Finance