Traveling the Rock Road

Years back, before we built our present home, we shared a house with a delightful couple with two young children; we occupied the bottom floor and they the top.  These two were enjoyable to be around because of their love for people and for their Lord.  Instead of saying a prayer at mealtime they would sing a short song unto the Lord, I could set my watch by when I heard their melodic praise come through the floor.  Nearby lived an elderly man who was alone in the world that these kids befriended and made part of their family.  He was too feeble to climb the steps to their home so they would visit everyday and even taught the children to call him grandpa.  The time came when the couple made the decision to move back to Ohio, their home state.  When they broke the news to the old man, he began to cry thinking the closest thing to a family was now leaving him. Seeing his tears the wife spoke up quickly, “Oh you don’t understand, when we said we’re moving to Ohio we meant all of us, you too.  We couldn’t leave you behind; you’re part of our family.” And family they stayed until the gent passed away 6 months later, happier than he had ever been in his life.

While Cathy and I were on our 40^th anniversary trip recently we met a couple that were quite a bit older than us, but had only been married 15 years.  Both had lost their first mates earlier in life and found themselves alone in the world.  Talking to them I got the impression neither was looking for someone else, but they both realized they were hurting.  She and her first husband had played music together in church for years, her the piano and he played guitar.  She deeply missed the great times they had ministering to others in their own special way and felt great sadness when considering that she would never be able to do such a calling again; until a chance encounter.  She met a man who had lost his wife to cancer and even though he wasn’t looking for another relationship he did miss long walks, traveling and just talking to the love of his life, and deep inside it was tearing him up.  He was in need of someone else to fill the void, just as our lady yearned for something that was missing in her life.  They met, they married and have been happy together all these years.  Oh, did I mention he was a guitar player and the two spent much time in song for others to enjoy; awesome!

I once met a woman working in a convenience store who had quite a load on her plate. The store was her 2^nd job, the 1^st being a house cleaner to several homes.  As I got to know her I learned her husband had been hurt on his job causing permanent damage that hindered him from ever working again.  He drew disability, but between that and her two jobs it just wasn’t enough to cover all the bills for her and her family.  On this one occasion she confided that they were three months behind on the house payment and expected foreclosure anytime.  She told me in a voice that was weary and without words conveyed the message, “I’ve done all I can, there’s nothing more to give. I thought about her situation for a week and decided to offer to pay at least one month on the house payment as a hope for a little breathing room.  “Thanks, but I don’t have a house payment anymore, it’s all paid off!” she delightedly told me at our next meeting wearing something I had not seen on her often, a great big smile.  Seems one day she got a phone call from the bank asking her to come in.  She figured it was the start to the final straw of losing her home.  Instead she was taken into an office were she was informed that an individual who wished to stay anonymous had came by the bank the day earlier and paid off her house.  I don’t think she ever found out who it was, but later I did.  He was an unsuspecting individual who stopped by the store sometimes and learned of her and her family’s fate.  He didn’t want anyone to know it was him and frankly few would have ventured a guess that this man had that kind of money, but he did.  He wasn’t looking for anything in return for his generosity; he just saw a need he could fulfill.

I read a quote recently that went like this; “Somebody needs what you have to give.  It may not be your money; it may be your time.  It may be your listening ear.  It may be your arms to encourage.  It may be your smile to uplift.  Who knows?  Maybe just like that little baby, putting your arm around somebody and letting him or her know that you care can help begin to heal that person’s heart.  Maybe you can give a rescuing hug.”

Each of these stories tells of someone in need, and someone who came forth to fill that need.  These types of stories go on more than we’ll ever know because generally speaking they’re not the type of thing that grabs headlines, only the people involved know, and there’s not a thing wrong with that!

As a Christian, I’ve learned one of the best ways I can be a help to many is to be on my knees.  I hear of situations all the time where I yearn to help but am not able, except in prayer and that’s not a bad place to go when you can’t do anything else.  In other words, I can see a need at times and be a help physically, and other times spiritually; I may not be able to fix the problem, but I know where to go and “Who” to go to that can.

One of my favorite Bible passages is Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

I’ve often wondered what life would be like around us if everyone who saw a need, saw that “They” were needed, would answer the call; and if every person who called themselves a Child of the King would commit time to prayer for others.  Personally, because of my beliefs I get excited just at the thought!  I hope you’ll give consideration to what I have said today.  Remember, no matter what your circumstance, you’re always in a position to be that strength, that kindness, that need, that prayer for someone else. Matter of fact I’m going to give you that chance right now.

This is Julie standing with my Lady, Cathy.  We met on a path in the SmokyMountains for a brief moment, but in that moment we learned a lot about this precious gal.  She saw Cathy’s fancy walking stick, a gift given to her for being a cancer survivor.  We told a park ranger we met on the trail about the meaning of the stick.  Later he passed Julie who he told her about the lady with the stick.  When she saw us coming she knew Cathy already and had a connection, for you see Julie is battling cancer for the 3^rd time. Strangers from different parts of the country passing on a mountain trail, could have very easily just walked on with a greeting and smile, but God had other plans.  He sees a need, and sees someone who can fill that need by placing maybe the only person that day who could empathize with what Julie is going through, and offer words of encouragement, a embracing hug that says I care, and a prayer right there on the trail before we went our separate ways, and a promise to continue to pray.

So here’s my challenge, you can’t say you don’t her, I just introduced you to Julie.  You can’t say you’re not aware of her problem; I just brought it to the forefront, with her permission.  And if you call yourself a Christian, you sure can’t say there’s nothing I can do.  Of the course there is; pray, Pray, PRAY!  Here is a need; I believe there’s someone who can fill it.  Please put Julie on your prayer list not only for her fight with cancer but for several other trials going on in her life at this time.  Anyone who would like to send Julie a message, write it here and we’ll see she gets it.

There’s always going to be people with needs looking for hope somewhere.  The question doesn’t come down to what can you do; but rather what “Will” you do.  Maybe it’s a lot; wonderful.  Maybe it’s only something small; great. But maybe it’s only a willingness to pray diligently; AWESOME!

Never forget, you are special and you are needed by someone.

Thanks for reading!!!