Thank you, Matthew Stroe

Dear Editor,

As the election is winding down, I would like to personally thank Matt. Being Matt’s pastor, I have had the honor to sit front row to this process from beginning to end with the family. I will always remember the conversation that we had when he felt the call to run for Sheriff. I asked him one simple question: Why? He responded: I feel called to serve. Although he was confident that God was leading him in this direction, he had his concerns. He knew the attacks would come against his character, against his family, against his faith. I was there when he was more concerned about what this would do to his boys than himself. I’ve witnessed him blossom as a father and a husband, no matter how ugly it became. The attacks did come. They came from some of the most unlikely of sources, but Matt held strong. He would consistently remind his supporters and family not to get in the mud with them. Matt has refused to fight back because it’s not in his heart to any differently. He has chosen to forgive when it would seem impossible. I was with him on many occasions as we had to take a breath and just remind ourselves that we had to do this God’s way. He was there for me when the personal attacks came down on me because of my support. Matt would say to me “this says more about them than it does about you. God has this.” In August, we had a conversation about his concern on what the attacks were doing to his boys, and what they would think of him as a father. Not even 15 minutes later, his oldest boy came outside and said “Love you, Dad. You are doing this the right way even though it is hard.” This is a direct reflection on who Matt is. He has stayed faithful to one amazing wife and two incredible boys. He has remained strong when others would have quit. Commitment matters to Matt. I do have to apologize, though. I lied to you, Matt. I said at the beginning that no matter what the result was, I wouldn’t think any differently. I do think differently of you. No matter what your title will be after November 6th, your title for me will forever be: Hero. Thank you, Matt.

Matthew A. Wyatt

Waitsburg