MADE AVAILABLE TO SERVE($14.95Value)

Description

Author’s Note Made Available to Serve was written from a place of gratitude, reflection, and responsibility. As I considered the different seasons of my life—from my upbringing in Jamaica, West Indies, to my years of community involvement and public leadership—I recognized that every experience was preparing me to serve in ways I could not have imagined. I did not enter community service with the intention of gaining a title or holding public office. My journey began with simply noticing the needs around me and believing that I had a responsibility to respond. I learned that meaningful service often begins quietly—with listening, encouraging, volunteering, helping one family, or speaking on behalf of someone whose voice has been overlooked. Throughout these pages, I have attempted to share my journey honestly. Leadership has brought rewarding moments, but it has also required sacrifice, patience, prayer, and difficult decisions. I have not always had every answer, nor have I handled every situation perfectly. However, each success, disappointment, correction, and lesson has helped me grow into a more thoughtful and compassionate servant. My faith has remained at the center of this journey. It has reminded me that leadership is not ownership and that every position is a temporary trust. Titles may change, elections may come and go, and opportunities may shift, but our responsibility to treat people with dignity, fairness, and compassion must remain. I am deeply grateful to my family, spiritual leaders, mentors, colleagues, volunteers, community partners, and the residents who placed their confidence in me. Whatever I have accomplished has never been accomplished alone. Many people have prayed for me, encouraged me, advised me, corrected me, and worked faithfully beside me. This book is not only about my story. It is also an invitation for you to consider your own opportunity to serve. You do not need an elected position, a public platform, or a recognized title to make a difference. Your availability, compassion, experience, and willingness may be exactly what someone in your family, church, workplace, or community needs. My hope is that Made Available to Serve will encourage you to recognize the value of what God has already placed within you. Your background has taught you something. Your challenges have developed something. Your experiences have prepared you for someone or something that may be waiting for your response. We may not be able to solve every problem, meet every need, or reach every person. Nevertheless, we can listen. We can care. We can speak. We can act. We can make ourselves available. Remain humble. Remain faithful. Remain compassionate. And above all, remain available to serve. Dee Lewis-Ricketts North Lauderdale, Florida