Do you ever get tired of all the bad news? I sure do, so it's time we share something good. An upfront thanks to Pam for providing an inspiring story.
She has been a pediatrician here in Miami for several years. It's been a fulfilling job, but when the fine folks at Samaritan's Purse came calling--looking for someone willing to go on a medical missionary trip, Pam enthusiastically agreed. It would be a two-week adventure into places so remote that they had never even had medical care.
Hard to imagine given that on every street corner in Miami there's a pharmacy of some sort. Among all the things I repeat--almost daily--is that we live in America. If we forget something or need something, we can easily get it--24 hours a day too.
One time the local Latin cafeteria was closed for renovations, and Jorge could not get his 3AM cortadito. It bordered on the tragic, but he survived. My oh my, how blessed we are in this great nation!
Nevertheless, imagine never ever having been to a doctor. Your baby never having an inoculation--not having an aspirin handy for a headachey spouse. Well, these were exactly the kind of folks Pam was about to minister to.
That word--MINISTER--is a noun but also a verb that dictionary.com defines as "give service, care, or aid and/or to contribute to comfort and happiness."
It's one thing to minister from the comfy confines of a plush sofa surrounded by A/C, and I am not knocking that. But it's another thing entirely to fly by plane to a foreign country, only to have to board a twin engine prop plane to fly deep into the jungle then board a tug boat to finally arrive at your destination.
Just for getting on that prop plane I will forever hold Pam in high esteem. I think I might have freaked out at that moment--fallen on my knees and asked God to surround me with extra strong angels--the kind that do Crossfit--who could carry me on their wings away to safety...But here is what I love about Pam. Not only is she a calm and soothing soul. Seriously, talk to her for five minutes and it will lower your blood pressure. But her priorities are in order. Do you know what she was thinking about as she was on that rickety old plane?
Trailblazers.
Tune in tomorrow:)
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, Thank You that there are plenty of opportunities to minister right here where we are. But thank You that there are those willing to leave the comfort zone for the sake of others. The important thing is that when we make an effort to give service or comfort another, we ourselves will be comforted. Matthew 5:7 says, "“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for." Amen to that! In Jesus name we pray, Amen~
No comments:
Post a Comment