The Beauty of Gessica

A couple weeks after starting behind the desk at The Shak, I got to know Gessica. Gessica was “interesting” to get to know because she had been thesalon’s receptionist before she went to cosmetology school. Maybe intimidating, or daunting, or nerve-wrecking would be more accurate words, because she had the reputation of being one of the best front desk people ever.

She was definitely a hard act to follow.

Gessica is our resident diva. She has an amazing voice – she sings for First Baptist of Maryville and when she belts out her voice with the choir backing her up, you’re sure to have chills run up and down your spine. Her picture graces the flyers and billboards that her church puts up every year for their Christmas production because, besides having a great voice, she is a certifiable knockout!

If Gessica’s church, First Baptist of Maryville, sounds familiar to you, it is probably because it is the location of the tragic church shooting that occurred March 9, 2009. Pastor Fred Winters was killed by a gunman while he was preaching on that Sunday morning. He was a gifted pastor, a community leader, and a dedicated husband and father. He was also Gessica’s friend.

Working alongside Gessica during this time, I believe I can speak for the entire staff when I say that we saw a new and deeper side to her. Her grief led her to sing special songs in order to honor her pastor and remember God’s grace. Her bold personality gentled during this season. And as time went on, a transformation began to take place in her that was beautiful to behold.

Gessica will always be our diva extraordinaire – no one would ever want that to change! And her personality will always be big and bold. But through the trials of life, she has been forged into something stronger and more beautiful than before. When you experience the vibrancy and glow that comes from deep within her, you can see God creating something special in her life.