Giving and Receiving

This has been an interesting week for me. Instead of helping others, as is both my job as a missionary and my preference, others have been helping me, and I have been unable to do anything to repay them except express my heartfelt gratitude.

PROVIDING HELP

One of the best ways to stay mentally healthy is to think of others and do what you can to help improve their lives. It is counterintuitive for sure, but years of research has shown that people who focus on improving the lives of others are happier and have lower risk of mental illness than people who think only of themselves. 

For most of my life I have wanted to help and serve others. One of the first Bible verses I memorized was Philippians 2:3b-4, “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interest of the others.” This idea of service has influenced how I have been a husband to my wife, a father to my children, and a pastor and friend to everyone who has entered into my life. Although I have wanted to serve others I have often failed because of selfish motives. I have also failed because I often don’t know how to help. I would never say I have been good at serving others, but it has been the desire of my heart.

ASKING FOR HELP

THE TEAM WHO CAME TO HELP

Here is what happened. On Sunday morning, we were breaking camp in Denver for a return to Cheyenne. At about 10 a.m. I slipped on some ice, my feet went out from under me, and I landed with full force on the corner of the steel steps of our trailer. It took about twenty minutes, but eventually I was able to get up and Debbie and I worked together to get the truck loaded and the trailer hooked up to the truck. I was in a lot of pain, but I was able to move enough to get the job done. About noon I got a text from Brandon (a friend I had just met at Foothills Bible church) who asked if I needed help and I texted back, “Yes.” (Debbie was surprised I asked for help, as that is not my normal response.)

Brandon arrived in just a few minutes and helped me drive the truck and trailer to his home where he parked it for me. Brandon, his wife Abby and a whole team of people came over, all willing to help. Brandon and Abby gave us lunch, and Brandon fixed me a wonderful medicinal drink. (I am not sure exactly what it was, but it was made of all natural ingredients; they called it an Old Fashion.)

RECEIVING HELP

After a couple of hours, I didn’t think I could drive home. The pain was getting worse, so Jon and his wife, Rita, invited us to stay with them. They took us in, fed us dinner, and walked our dogs. They were great. The next morning the pain was worse. I could barely stand or walk. However, for some reason, I thought I could drive, but I could not even get into our truck. Knowing we had to get back to Cheyenne, Jon drove our truck with our dogs, while Rita followed in her car with Debbie and me as passengers. They gave up their entire day for us.

Once we were back in Cheyenne, all of our neighbors texted love and support every day and brought us meals every evening. On Tuesday our son, David, came to help. He left his wife, children, and his job to be with us and he saved our lives by going to the store and doing all the driving.

By Friday my pain was still intense, and I wasn’t getting any better. So I asked David if he would take me to the hospital.  I told the doctor I had self-diagnosed a bruised rib and possible pulmonary contusion. The doctor was not sure my diagnosis was accurate so he ordered a CT scan. The scan showed I had broken several ribs, in seven different places, and that I also had broken my spinal column in three places. I was admitted to the hospital where a team of trained professionals took care of my every need. I am now home and resting with the help of several medications.

PRACTICING GRATITUDE

Today I am thinking of all the things others have done for me. Brandon and Abby dropped everything they were doing to come to my rescue. Jon and Rita opened their home, their hearts, and, at great cost to themselves, drove us back to Cheyenne. David has left his life to do everything he can to help us. Our neighbors, who love us, are bringing meals and would do more if they could. I thank God for the hospital staff, which consisted of at least three doctors, more nurses than I can remember, an occupational therapist, and of course a pharmacist I didn’t meet. Heck, today I am even thankful for big pharma who makes these drugs available. 

All these people have given so much, and all I can say is, “Thank you.” The words feel so inadequate. I would rather give than receive, but sometimes it is good to be on the receiving end. When we are in a position where we can’t help ourselves and must rely on others, we get some insight into our relationship with God. All week long I have been thinking that when I was dead in my sin and without hope. God, because of His great love for me, sacrificed His son, and all I can do is say, “Thank you.” This week has been difficult, but I have seen how the love God has for us can be visually demonstrated by a Christian community.

I pray that this week you will have the opportunity to serve others. I also pray you will have the opportunity to have others serve you. And I pray you would always know that God loved you and sacrificed his Son for you when you were literally dead and unable to help yourself. Praise be to God, and to all who are created in His image and who freely give their lives away to serve others.