I Noticed Him and He Made a Difference

On Sunday, I had a long-ago, precious memory of a man who attended our church in Shawnee, OK. What I remembered about him was that he was always in an electric wheelchair accompanied by his devoted mother. I remembered he was a “beamer”. You know -- a sunbeam that lit up the room. His quick wit made everyone laugh. We were magnetically drawn to him because he exuded a peace beyond description -- especially considering his circumstances. What stirred me most in this memory was that his hands were strapped to the arms of the wheelchair where he could use the controls to maneuver it. And, the most vivid remembrance I have of him was when we would sing, his eyes would close and he would lift his hands as much as he could, even though they were strapped down.

That memory comes from well over 40+ years ago. I noticed him and his joy and his peace and his humor and raising those hands from the wrist up. With what he had – he used it all. Amazingly, I remembered his name so I googled him – Larry Williams, Shawnee, OK. His obituary came up with his picture. He was 60 when he passed on. “Larry became a quadriplegic when he was 19 from an auto accident but still had high spirits and always could make people laugh. We know he is walking in heaven. Larry touched many lives in his lifetime.” So what I remembered about him, was true all his life.

I also remembered when the pastor asked people to raise their hands in worship to God, many people wouldn’t, but Larry always did what he could – he raised his hands. When people were urged to sing with all their hearts – many wouldn’t, but Larry did. He used what he had.

I called a friend who attended that church with us. I asked if he remembered Larry. He replied: “Oh, yes. He was in the same nursing home as my mom. Everyone adored him. He was friendly to everyone and always had a kind word to say to all. Why am I elaborating about a man from so many years ago and who is no longer living on this side of heaven? Because he made a difference. He made such an impression on me that here I am 40+ years later, remembering the strong and mighty man that he was. Oh, no – I’m not talking about his physical abilities because those were very few. But, I am talking about a man that rose up higher and spoke louder and appreciated life greater than anyone I think I have ever known. He took what he had and made a difference.

I appreciate the quote: “Who you are is God’s gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift back to God!" I think that’s what Larry did and that’s what I am determined to do, too. If Larry could make a difference in this world from where he sat – then with my two good legs and arms and hands and a voice, I can make a difference too. I can spread the Good News in my actions, in what I say and what I do. I can “preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words". (Thanks, St. Francis, for that quote.) Would you consider what you could do to make a difference to those in your corner of the world, too?

I want to be noticed as a joy, peace and hope pusher like Larry. I want to be noticed and remembered for what I had been given that made a difference in this world. I know I can because if Larry could – so can I! And, so can you!

Preach the Gospel -- WHO Me?

I remember my early years as a Christian how difficult it was for me to share God's "Good News" to those around me. Sure, I did my best to be a reflection of Christ's likeness in my words and deeds in everyday life, but I wasn't what I thought a disciple was -- the one who queried "Are you a Christian? Do you want to go to heaven when you die? Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior?" Those words not only intimidated me, but they frightened me when I thought about what the response would be and how I would respond back to them. I remember my church sending us out door to door to hand out Gospel tracks and how difficult it was to engage in conversation with the people at their front doors.

Then how in the world could I be a true follower of Christ -- especially since He gave those words "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creatures." Mark 16:15

As I matured in my walk with Christ, I came to realize that when I wake up each day, I AM His disciple, His messenger, and His ambassador and devoted follower as I ensure my words are kind, generous, loving, sincere and caring and my actions are those that do reflect God's love and mercy.

"Going into ALL the world" isn't just about across the oceans, but it's about the smile we offer to the cashier that can later be passed along to the weary wife, who’s grabbing lunch, and help give her the strength to hold the hand of her husband we’ll never meet as they battle cancer.

We don’t know how the kind word we speak to a friend will give her the courage she needs when she goes to her workplace and has a chance to answer the question, “What’s so different about you?”

So if we aren't being nudged to go to Africa to serve in an orphanage, it doesn’t mean our reach is any less. It’s not any less spiritual. It’s not any less filled with potential and purpose.

We serve a God who is not boxed in by time, circumstances, or geography. He is everywhere, all the time, with everyone. His work in and through us is spontaneous, thrilling, sometimes crazy, and oftentimes the most joy-filled experience EVER. And in any given moment, if we want to know the best place to start sharing His love, all we need to do is look down at the ordinary, sacred ground right under our feet.

Everyday we have the opportunity to touch someone's heart who will in turn touch their family's hearts who will touch their communities and who will touch the world. All God is really asking of us is our willing heart to be His hands extended to a hurting world that needs our words of encouragement and our hands of tender loving care.

Being Difference Makers

On the 2nd day of our missions’ trip, we were all about the business of reaching our hearts and hands out to the children. "Be A Miracle" - se un milagro - was our goal. On this day, we would meet up with the reality of what “behind the scenes” is all about. And, this day was about what we really wanted this trip to be about – helping, even in any way we could -- someway - somehow - to be difference makers.

We arrived at Perdon y Amistad Church and immediately received gifts from the children. Really? I knew it would be like this. We came to be a blessing, and before we could give, we received. The children had painted on paper bags that contained t-shirts for each of us.

At the church, we met the most beautiful servants of God who pour their lives, voluntarily, into the precious children. They sincerely know, and put to action – the importance of planting into the future generation – and making an indelible imprint on these young lives.
It was quite the adventure for our little missions’ team to be on a food preparation assembly line of breaking open the bread, spreading mayo in it, then adding a slice of cheese and meat, and all neatly bundled in a plastic bag with napkin for over 500 children. I loved the pride they had in the packaging.

We headed out with the team over rocky, unpaved roads – many of which were washed out because of the torrential rains that come, which compounds the difficulty in getting the meals delivered. But, what we did in just one day, is done routinely, and daily, by this beautiful team of volunteers as they cater food & beverage, visiting two primary schools and a preschool in the morning and afternoon (two shifts). For over 15 years, they have focused on providing a meal and drink for every child. The main goal of this amazing program, “Breakfast for Children” is to combat malnutrition and is dedicated to feeding children in the most impoverished areas.

We loved being able to serve -- it was a team effort, and we got the big job done – but our contribution was mere, compared to what these volunteers do on a daily basis. Though it seemed like a small token of support, we understood St. Francis’ message….loud and clear – “Preach the gospel at all times…..and sometimes use words.”

Lean on ME

Yesterday, I posted about getting ourselves off our minds, and to understand why God placed us here -- at this time and this place. What if He has us here for a bigger-than-life purpose -- to be here as His messengers and His hands and heart extended to others?

A year ago, this week, devastating tornadoes hit Moore, OK and hundreds of homes and lives were taken. As tragic as it was, the outpouring of love and the real tangible ways that communities, organizations and people stepped up to make a difference in those hurting people's lives -- displayed the beauty that comes when we care and take action beyond our own circumstances. Not just in the most crtical times, but everyday, people are experiencing tremendous pain and hurt in ways beyond what we can imagine, and I think about those who step up to help in untold ways that express God's hands extended to them.

If you are one of those messengers who heed the call of God's dispatcher, I just want to say "THANK YOU" for being, doing, and living St. Francis' words "Preach the Gospel at all times.....and sometimes, use words!" May God bless you for loving and caring and BEING that Good Samaritan and that friend, brother, and sister to those who need you. I'm thanking God for your heart of compassion. You know why you are here, and you're making the world a better place.