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MINISTRY IS WHERE YOU HAPPEN TO BE
Recently, I flew into the
Denver airport, eager to meet Paul and Julie, Racers For Christ Executive
Director and Business Administrator. We were in Denver to attend the
2006 Christian Management Conference. Julie and I were the
last of the RFC staff to attend one of these training conferences. It was
our turn.
Luggage in tow, we climbed into the Super Shuttle and
waited for other passengers to fill up the van. The ride to the hotel was
long and the crowd was unusually friendly and chatty.
I asked Paul about the
status of his niece, Melissa. Her unusual health condition causes her much
pain. It reminded me of our racetrack friend, Verna, who has a similar
condition and is 2-1/2 years post Guillion’s Barre Syndrome, a virus that
wraps around and paralyzes the nerves.
There was a young man in the
van, interested in our conversation. He apologetically spoke up and started
asking intelligent questions about both situations. After some discussion, I
asked him, “Are you a doctor?” He answered, “No, but I have
extensive medical training in the military.”
It turns out, Sam
(I’ll use this name since he just came from serving Uncle Sam) was returning
from Iraq. When asked what he did in Iraq, Sam carefully chose his words, as
not to expose his top-secret job. He used terms like “turning out
the lights” when commanded…duties we didn’t want to know about, nor
would we understand.
It didn’t take long for me
to realize I was talking to a young man who had experienced some things that
we only hear about or see in movies…things that our servicemen don’t talk
about, but do to protect the freedoms that we take for granted.
I listened as Sam explained
the reason he was back in Denver. He has received one too many
concussions in the line of duty. Now he suffers from seizures and will
have to be on medication the rest of his life. No driving, no operating
heavy machinery. The most amazing part about his story was how positive
and proud he was about who he is and how life is going to be okay. He was
quick to point out what he was grateful for and he was anticipating reuniting
with “the love of his life,” which prompted him to pull out a
“cheek-to-cheek” picture of himself with his beautiful young lady.
I took a long look at the
soul of this handsome young man, realizing the depth of his character.
I knew that he has a high mountain to climb as he re-enters civilian life.
As we zip here and there in our cars, he will be learning new ways to get
around on foot…by bus or cab. We will lie down at night and sleep while he
wrestles with his memories of military duties. Larry and I will drive our
motorhome and fly to the races so we can minister to those “daredevils” who
willingly and freely choose to speed down the quarter-mile at 335 mph, while
Sam and all the other “Sams” hope to rebuild past relationships, get new jobs
and function as “normal citizens.”
As the shuttle reached our
destination in downtown Denver, all the passengers climbed out into the
frigid Rocky Mountain air. I instinctively reached over to hug Sam, and he
likewise, as if we had known each other forever. Then we both shyly pulled
back, slightly embarrassed as we realized we had just met. I told him, “I
will be praying for you. God has a wonderful plan for your future. You’re
already a winner and God loves you very much.” He smiled, thanked me and
reached for his military-issued green duffle bag…his earthly possessions.
Larry and I like to call
these meetings, “divine assignments.” There’s no doubt in my mind God
brought about this encounter. The real question is, “Who was
ministered to the most…Sam or me?” I know the answer to that
as I resolve to pray more for our servicemen and women and those in
leadership making life-altering decisions. I also resolve to continue to
realize that wherever I am, that’s where ministry is. Ministry is what
happens on the way to where we are going.
Linda Smiley
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