Day 63 - August 17 - A Challenge

But first, an update. Connor rested fairly well through the night, and had no desatting episodes, which is another answer to prayer. He and Joélle are upstairs talking about the accident and our reactions to it, since Connor doesn't know our side of the story and is now interested in finding out. Joélle is the perfect sister for the boy, no question.

We found out this morning that Connor has gotten pseudomonas again. They're waiting to see more culture results before they take action, which will probably be antibiotics again. Praying against that infection would be appreciated!

Finally, I've gotten many requests over the last weeks and months, asking me to share more details about the folks with whom we minister so that everyone can pray for them. I've gotten this request enough that I think I'd better answer it, and the answer is "no, I won't share that information". Why? Well I don't know if you've noticed or not, but I don't mention anyone but family by name on the blog, for this reason - I have no desire to breach these folk's ideas of privacy, particularly in light of the fact that I am making this information available to anyone on the globe who wants to look at it. It's one thing to share my own situation, but another thing entirely to spread someone else's pain without them knowing about it.

My brother opted to use pseudonyms last month to tell the story of Shane and Hope, primarily because he's actually good at telling stories like those. I, on the other hand, can't even keep everone's real names straight, much less false names! So rather than confuse my mental state any further, I opt to avoid passing on many of the stories that come from our sojourn here, unless it highlights part of our own journey.

There is another reason I have avoided passing on such details, and here is where the challenge in the post title comes in -

Because of the wonder of the internet, It is super easy to feel connected to us and to feel that you're being used by God in prayer, all while sitting at your computer and praying for us. Please don't misunderstand me - every one of you that are watching this blog ARE valuable and being used by God! Trust me, I'm desperate for your continued prayer! So I'm not saying anything other than "it's easy to be connected in this way through the internet". But many of you have expressed a desire to know more about the folks we minister to so you "can pray for them, too". This is a noble and worthy thought, one which I believe originates with the Holy Spirit moving your conscience. But if the Holy Spirit is prompting you to expand your prayer support to more people than just Connor and us, I respectfully suggest that this might be the moment when you take a look at your local ICU or Emergency Room to see if there are hurting people there who need the hands and feet of Christ.

I don't mean to suggest that the people here are not worthy of your prayer support, or that they don't need it. I just feel strongly that God has placed our family here to minister to these people, and I also feel strongly that part of growing in Christ is to begin reaching out our ownself (to steal a Texas phrase). I had to be dragged into a Trauma unit to discover the need of the hurting people inside, but you have the opportunity to learn from my experience and go there willingly.

Go find a trauma unit or ICU. Go stand outside the elevator or door to the waiting room, and do this experiment - stand there and whenever a person comes out of the elevator or through the door, ask them if they'd like you to pray for them. No witnessing, no Bible-thumping, just prayer. In my experience, not a single person will turn you down. Then pray with them, lifting them and whatever their situation is boldly before the throne of grace. Share more with them if they're open to it - if not, don't push. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide your words. He will.

I think that is a great way to begin to stretch your own faith while also reaching out as Christ reached out. I have yet to meet a hurting and desperate person with a family member or friend in serious jeopardy who didn't think that prayer was a good idea. Admittedly, my experience is pretty limited, but so far that's proved true. And even if someone does say "no", you just thank them, wish them well and turn to the next person. It's 'way easier than you think.

So go for it. Move. Trust. Reach out. Be the hands and feet of Christ. Remember, faith without works is dead. I'm not the only one who gets to have their faith stretched! And I'll make you a guarantee - you will find yourself more blessed than you can believe, and as uplifted by your action as the folks you're praying with.

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