The Unkle of the world.

If you haven't met Steph Raj, you haven't met an Unkle. I'm not sure where or how it was started that she should call herself an Uncle (much less an Unkle), but it's the truth all the same. She is the prime example of a crazy but harmless relative that rules the world and changes lives. It's really that simple.

 I'm not kidding or exaggerating when I say she is the stuff of miracles. Her ability to love people is supernatural--the kind that Jesus always talks about in the Bible. I know of no one else who so readily embraces her enemies, has patience with the poor in spirit and who sacrifices so willingly what others begrudgingly give up. Her understanding of people and their needs goes past compassion and straight to the heart of empathy. She goes into the darkest places courageously and confidently, knowing that there is always hope and light to be found even in the most desperate of situations. She fights for life and always wins, paying no mind to how big or small the victories may seem to others. It doesn't matter to her--all people are worth the same amount of care and effort in her book.

Mostly I love her because she has the best sense of humor I know. She can have fun with anyone, and makes everyone laugh at her ridiculous jokes or (affectionate) impressions. She doesn't take things too seriously, which is really an advantage in the grand scheme of things. Most importantly, she doesn't take herself seriously. Steph is the biggest example and greatest receiver of grace. She lets it permeate all of who she is as well as her actions towards others--a rare gift that few are able to acquire. She doesn't give up when things get hard or messy. Truly, the perseverance she has in believing the best in people makes those people believe the best in themselves. It's an incredible and beautiful thing, really.

The reason I can say these things about the Unkle are because 1) she has demonstrated them in my own life, and 2) she has demonstrated them towards her campers/staff every summer I have known her. We both work for a non-profit organization that serves low-income kids from New York City (an adventurous feat in itself). She is incredibly talented at counseling the young girls that are placed in her care for the week, and is able to speak to them with great authority and humility all at once. And her campers eat it up. They trust her and believe her when she talks about Jesus. They know she expects the best from them and know she is serious enough about their lives to hold them to a higher standard than the rest of the world does. She breaks them down and builds them up. They go home changed forever, knowing that they are wholly loved and accepted on a level they may never have experienced before. Miracles, I tell ya.

During the school year, Steph is studying to be a nurse, which is maybe the best profession she could ever pick short of being an Unkle. Once again, I am constantly impressed by her diligence in working towards this goal. No matter what the obstacles are that come her way, she beats the crap out of them. She is a force to be reckoned with, and never takes no as an answer. There is no doubt in my mind that wherever she ends up, she will continue to transform the lives of those she encounters. She loves hard, and isn't scared away easily. I am so blessed and so thankful to have her as one of my friends, and I know that anyone who knows her would say the same. So thanks, God, for sending her out and making her so naturally amazing--the world will never be the same.