There’s no shortage of amazing people in this world. Look past the salacious headlines and popular rabble and you’ll find artists, musicians, actors, writers and so many more who dedicate their lives to others.

And then they surprise in yet another way. 

Last night, I attended the Amy Grant and Michael W Smith Two Friends Tour at Rolling Hills Community Church. They were fantastic. Both artists are involved with charities such as Compassion International and the world is all the better because of them.

And then Amy Grant shares a little story. 

She and a few of her band members decided to explore Portland by bicycle (since their tour bus is a bit too much for some of those Portland streets). They ended up on the Waterfront at a restaurant and Amy Grant chatted casually with the young waitress.

“So what are you in town for?” the waitress asked.

“I’m a songwriter,” Amy Grant says. (Which I think is putting it a bit mildly.)

“I am too!” The waitress responded.

So what does Amy do? She asks to hear some of her songs.

In the midst of sharing this story on stage, Amy then motions and brings this girl onto stage. A young waitress living in Portland, a chance meeting, and then an audience before a crowd of hundreds. The young woman sings and she is fantastic, loveable and incredibly humble about the whole thing.

Forgive the poor picture quality, but can’t you see the admiration in this young girl on the left?

I couldn’t catch the girl’s name – it was hard to understand. Katie Convoy (?). Anyway, she was spectacular, and received a standing ovation from the audience.

In that moment, I realized Amy Grant has transcended beyond herself and was striving to make others great and encourage others. What if we all approached our craft—our lives—with this first and foremost in our minds?

What matters more than the people around us? The relationships we make? True leaders, true inspiration comes from lifting others to their best.

What are your thoughts?