Serving others has always been important to me. It is a value my father instilled in me from an early age. Since moving to Nashville 15 years ago to work
 as a meteorologist with WSMV, I’ve had numerous opportunities to serve in my own community. One of my favorite experiences is volunteering at Nashville Rescue Mission. When I serve meals, I notice a lot of the men and women who walk through the line never look up. Maybe they don’t feel noticed. But I see them, and I do my best to engage them with
a smile. I make a point to wish them well and tell them to enjoy their meal. It’s so important to make that connection, to let them know they are valued and appreciated. And
 it’s always fun when one of them looks up, smiles, and sometimes recognizes me as “the weather lady on TV” (even in my hairnet).
As a meteorologist, it’s my job to study the weather. Since most of our summer air in Middle Tennessee comes from the Gulf of Mexico, it’s not uncommon for it to
feel like 105 degrees on a 95-degree day. And just like in the winter when it’s cold, we need to be concerned for those living on the streets when it’s hot. If a person’s body temperature gets above 103 degrees, they are subject to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death. While it might be hard to believe, there are more heat-related deaths than there are any other weather-related deaths. In Nashville, this is a definite concern to those
in the homeless community.
I cannot imagine how hard it must be to not have a home and be labeled homeless. But I do know God loves each of His children. Whether someone is homeless or not, we are all the same in the eyes of God. It’s one of the reasons I support Nashville Rescue Mission. The Mission provides all their services for free. They are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. They are on the streets when it’s hot, handing out cold bottled water, and offering those in need a cool, safe, shaded place to stay. They do all of this without taking any money from the government so they can proudly share the Good News with everyone who walks through their doors.
I look forward to serving at the Mission. I always leave feeling so blessed. I’m amazed at all they do for those in need in our community, and it’s all because of generous donors and faithful volunteers. Nashville Rescue Mission is changing lives. It’s an honor and privilege to serve alongside them.

Lisa Spencer is the Chief Meteorologist at WSMV Channel 4. You can catch her weekdays at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. She has won eight regional Emmys and was recently named “Broadcaster of the Year” by the National Weather Association.