Lessons learned
from my motorbike accident: Part 4
I recently read a
story about soldiers that stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington
National Cemetery. As Hurricane Isabel slammed the East Coast during 2003 millions
sought shelter from the storm’s wrath including members of Congress in
Washington, D.C. However, when the
hurricane hit Arlington the soldiers remained at their posts, even though they
were given permission to seek shelter. Why would they do such a crazy thing? Because that’s what a soldier does. He recognizes the storm but doesn’t give in
to it, standing firm against its power.
The same holds
true for soldiers of God’s army. As the
storm seeks to rob us of our courage, tempting us to neglect our duty as a
believer, we must remain strong and steadfast.
We must remember that the most powerful being in the world, bigger than
any problem we will ever face, is on our side.
A man of God
follows God’s design for true masculinity. The core of a man’s life should be
his relationship with God. The man who walks humbly with God is motivated and
empowered to step up and assume the difficult responsibilities that come his
way. In today’s blog I am going to focus on two of the many courageous men I
know in the army of God.
The first time I met Jonathan and
Jacob was 2 years ago on a train from Seoul to Pyeongtaek to do a project with Durabang
(one of our church’s aftercare partners that housed foreign women rescued from
trafficking in Korea). I have always had much admiration for the 2 of them
after that day. It wasn’t until now that
I really began to appreciate and understand who they are exactly.
Four days after
my arrival to Thailand I crashed my motorbike and fractured my shoulder in 6
places. Jacob and Jonathan have been so
helpful to me during this time. They have really loved, respected and cared for
me as their sister in Christ (even when I was being a “princess” and didn’t
deserve it). They cooked for me, cleaned
for me, learned how to braid hair so they could help me with mine, took me
places I needed to go or wanted to go (sometimes giving up things they wanted
to do so I could have my needs met), helped me with my therapy, waited for
hours at the hospital with me. I could
go on and on. In fact there were times they were there for me even though I don't remember it and found out later. Point is they have
sacrificed a lot. Sure, they are my
teammates, but they didn’t have to go above and beyond like they did. They
could have done the bare minimum yet they chose not to, “assuming this
difficult responsibility” that came their way and doing so with love and
respect for me.
This motorbike accident hasn’t been
easy for the 3 of us by any means. We
have had to fight through our selfishness, pride, independence (me), greed and
a host of other sins as we work together to bond and form a team unified for
one goal, pursuing justice and glorify God.
There are days that this works out wonderfully, and then there are days
where it seems we are frustrated with each other what seems like every minute!
One thing I know for sure about this
accident is that it has forced unity upon us as a team quicker than it would
have had things played out the way they should have. See, they have been in Thailand doing
missions for the past year and a half while I am just now joining the
team. They have been friends for many
years before now while I am just now getting to really know them. The two of them already have a pretty good
unity thing going on while I join as a “third wheel.”
When I arrived
the plan was for me to just stay with them a week or 2 until I found my own
place. If I had moved out when I was
suppose to there would be no way we would be bound together the way we are
today. This accident has not only helped
us learn more about each other but it has also helped us discover our strengths
and weaknesses. It has forced us to be
diplomatic and harmonious in the way we handle conflict. It has
taught us how to show love to one another and how not to offend each other.
Jacob and
Jonathan are men of integrity with a heart, head and conscience. I appreciate how they amiably
hold each other accountable to things men of God should be held accountable to. They love
the Lord and seek His plan for their life valiantly, even in the desert or
darkest of storms. They are passionate
in their pursuit of justice for the weak and vulnerable. I love learning from them. As I start this
journey in Thailand I look forward to working along side them and growing with them.
To Jonathan and
Jacob, I would like to say thank you for your patience and kindness to me. Thank you for being obedient and living as
the men of God He intended you to be. I
pray that God will continue to raise up more men who are not afraid to step out
on faith and pursue biblical manhood, especially single men. May the men of Thailand recognize what you
have, desire to be men of God, and learn from you. May Thailand be forever changed because of
the work God is using you to do here.
Final
Thoughts
So this is the
end of my accident blog series. I titled
the last one “A Beautiful Distraction” because that is exactly what it has
been. Satan intended for this accident
to distract me from the work God had for me here but God took it and made it
something beautiful as He always does. Through
this experience His will was done even if it wasn’t the way I thought it would
have been. The gospel has been shared in places I might not have even thought
to share it. Personal growth has been accomplished. Unity and love have been shown while relationships
have grown and understanding has been established. Trust in the Lord has
increased and faith has grown stronger.
So many wonderful things have come about because of this “Beautiful
Distraction.” Sure, my arm is not fully healed yet, it will probably be another
5-6 months before I can be a normal person again, but I know, with time it will
happen. I jut need to be patient.
Thank you
everyone for your prayers and kind words! I have been so encouraged through all
this! I appreciate you all very much! Please continue to stay in touch! I’ll be
sending a newsletter update sometime this month so if you do not receive my
newsletter please give me your email address and I will add you. Thanks so much! God bless.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” ~Micah 6:8.
The night before the accident (getting massages)
The day of the accident (at the hospital, pretty sure I was on morphine at this point)
A few weeks after (exploring desserts in Thailand)
“You must be the change you wish to see in the
world.” ~Ghandi
