All Saints: Clouds of witnesses and role models

Today at church we celebrated the festival of All Saints. I see those who have gone before us as an encouragement. In the letter to the Hebrews, we're urged to be mindful of the "great cloud of witnesses" as we complete our earthly tasks. And I draw encouragement from the example of what is possible, as lived in the lives of many who have gone before. So in honor of God's people throughout history, here are some who have inspired me: 

1. Naomi - Mother-in-law of Ruth, who was an ancestor of King David. Naomi's love, kindness, and warmth created a home and converted a soul. 
2. Solomon - King of Israel, son of David and Bathsheba .When he dreamed that God offered him anything he might ask, he asked for the wisdom to be a good ruler of such a great people. 
3. Mary of Bethany - Sister of Martha and Lazarus. She famously sat at Jesus' feet and listened rather than busying herself; Jesus stood by her decision and said she had chosen what is better. 
4. Athanasius - Author of several books including On the Incarnation of the Word of God. His clarity in explaining Christ's work, and his passion for showing why it is good news, make his masterpiece writing nearly as inspiring as the canonical gospels. 
5. Eusebius the Historian - Following in the footsteps of Luke, he aimed to be careful in record-keeping and so preserved many fascinating references and faith-building connections. He is an inspiration for me in carrying history by the use of primary sources. 
6. Saint Francis - This man had an innocence so fresh that it would be easy to dismiss as naive, though his spirit had a beauty and generosity that continues in enduring appeal. 
7. Saint Clare - Her single-minded devotion to loving and serving God first earned her the respect of St Francis, and later earned her place among those who led their generation in serving God. 
8. J.S. Bach - an evangelist with a keyboard, he was a prolific composer who is well-known for his beautiful and powerful songs. He would often close his compositions with the initials SDG (Soli Deo Gloria): to God alone be the glory. 
9. G.F. Handel - Another prolific composer, he is most famous for his powerful, electrifying, and hauntingly beautiful composition Messiah, with its well-known finale Hallelujah Chorus. As I've mentioned before, I would rate his Hallelujah as the best Bible study ever written on the Book of Revelation. 
10. Therese of Lisieux - a nun who died young, she attracted many with her humble, accessible humility and her warm, generous spirituality. Her autobiography, recorded in obedience to her mother superior while she was dying, is one of my inspirations. 
11. Theresa of Calcutta - a modern saint whose intense love and devotion shined a light of compassion into the devastatingly poor slums of Calcutta. 
12. J.R.R. Tolkien - not officially a saint on anyone's list except possibly my own, Tolkien's imagination re-envisioned a world in which culture, beauty, and the natural world thrive side-by-side. His work is layered deeply with Christian themes such as the wisdom of hope, the necessity of forgiveness, and the desirability of good.