Day 72

Scripture: Ps 40, 54, 51; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 7:1-17


Scripture standout: Colossians 3: "⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."


Luke 7: "

Luke 7

The Faith of the Centurion

 ¹ When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. ² There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. ³ The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, ⁵ because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” ⁶ So Jesus went with them.   He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. ⁷ That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
 ⁹ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” ¹⁰ Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.


Morning thoughts: Last night's interfaith discussion centered greatly around the promise of humility. One message I took away from it is that whatever faith you practice, humility must play a role or the faith becomes more about the person than God. I really like that story about the Centurion. He had his own beliefs and lorded over many, but still felt unworthy to have Jesus even come into his home. The best part of the story is here's this guy — all high and mighty — acting as a servant to his servant.


Today, and for the next week or so at least, a group of Solace volunteers and host families and Afghan families will be servants to Ashrafulla. The surgery he is having this morning will change his life in so many measurable, positive ways. But it would not happen without the servant's hearts of many — including the doctors and hospitals who are humbly donating their time and expertise.


The best thing is, I get to spend a good portion of the weekend in the hospital. Hospitals are full of deeding opportunities, and I am excited to seek them out! 


One quick word on having a servant's heart: it's not easy. Just this morning, I'm grumbling and feeling sorry for myself. I stayed up late to wrap things up at the forum, I have work to do, I'm trying to figure out getting kids from Point A to B this morning, figuring out birthday party deliveries, packing lunches, making breakfast, not to mention worried about surgery day for Ashraf — and I don't want to do any of it. I'd much rather sleep in — like the rest of those ninnies upstairs who are STILL sleeping. David has some "over exertion condition" of some kind, so he's sleeping it off. And here's poor me, schlepping the day's worries around before 6;30 a.m. Sometimes, like this morning, I'd simply rather not deal with any of it. Nice servant's heart, eh?


The Deed/The Day: There was plenty of deeding surrounding Ashraf's surgery, but the biggest deed was one I witnessed — took note of, and learned from. The waiting room at Wolfson was full and loud. We set up camp in the middle of it all — Ashraf's possee. We were right behind a woman and her cranky two-year-old and 9 month old. Hours clicked passed, and this poor little boy got crankier and crankier. As one might expect a two-year-old to do, he exploded several times into crying fits that made everyone's ears just shudder. Being that it was a children's hospital, he was in good company. But still, his prolonged and high pitched wales were beyond grating. Friend who I'll call "Love Her!", because I do, stood up from her seat. She's a good mama and a tough gal when she needs to be. I thought for sure the cranky two-year-old was about to get a piece of her mind — or maybe the mother. But "Love Her!" approached the mother gently and asked if she could talk to her son. I don't know what "Love Her!" said but she got him to stop screaming. Not once, but three times! And the last time, she scooped this baby up onto her chest and he immediately fell asleep there — for two hours more. Sometimes, when people are cranky and beside themselves with anxiety or fear — a warm smile, kind words, a genuine embrace and place to rest is all they need. I won't forget her actions ever.