Trailblazer~

Matthew 5:7 "You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for."

 

There are so many applications to this verse, and as we continue with Pam's story, we will be blessed--I promise :)

 

So there she is on that plane, literally flying into the jungle, and she is overwhelmed with one pervasive thought: "I could never do what I am doing if not for those who paved the way."

 

Who paved the way for her? Have you ever seen a movie called, The End of the Spear?   It's a true story based on five missionaries who lost their lives reaching out to a savage tribe in Ecuador. The part that always gets me is how the widow of one of those men stays put--determined to reach out to these souls. I won't spoil it for you, so rent it for yourselves!

 

They, specifically, did not literally make it possible for Pam to do what she did. But people like that--who risked life and limb because they had a burden for the souls of those who have never heard about Jesus--and countless other deeply-burdened Christ followers with a heart bigger than I can imagine who relentlessly researched and fundraised and pestered and persisted until everything was in order--those are the ones that made it possible for Pam and the others on her team to take that two-week journey.

 

I am not saying that Pam's part was the easy one; she still had to get up and go and endure separation from her family not to mention running water and telephones. I am saying, however, that even in our own lives there are blessings we enjoy because someone ahead of us paved the way, and that, dear friends, is something to be grateful for.

 

You wouldn't be here if not for your parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. Where would I be right now if my mother and grandparents had not had the courage to leave Cuba in 1966 for a chance at better opportunities in America? Would I even be married to Jorge? Have the kids I have? Live where I live?

 

More importantly, back in 1957 if my mom had not attended a rally of Presbyterians would I be on the current faith trajectory that I am on? It was no small thing to leave the traditions of her childhood, but there was something appealing about the Presbyterian way, so she joined.

 

Odds are that if you are currently praying for your family, someone came ahead of you and taught you, inspired you, or provided the example. And even if you are the very first one in your family who has taken a step of faith and become a prayer warrior, then you are the trailblazer. You are leaving a legacy of eternal significance.

 

That is what Pam did. She piggybacked on the efforts of others but made a tremendous impact herself that will endure forever. She went way out of her way to care for others--at great personal cost. But guess what?

 

Tomorrow:)

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, There's a reason You encourage us to store up treasures in heaven. Those are the kind that will bless us forever. Help us to have the right priorities. Help us to forgo some of the stuff that is really unimportant in the long haul for the kind of things that are eternally impacting. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

You're Blessed When You Care~

Good morning:)

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~