I got a shot today. A tetanus shot with some other stuff thrown in for good measure (Apparently those shots I got as a baby aren't as long lasting as originally thought.)
The last time I got a tetanus shot was 14 years ago. I was getting ready for my very first missions trip. Romania.
I gave my life to God when I was 18. Romania happened 3 years after that. I didn't grow up in the kind of churches where everyone went on mission trips every summer, so I didn't know that missions could happen outside of a lifetime commitment to headhunters in New Guinea or orphans in some third-world country.
So, when the chance came up to go, minus the lifetime commitment, there I was.
Others. That's what a bumper sticker on the back of my van says. And that trip gave me what has been an unquenchable thirst to serve others. Until then, it was all me.
Mexico, Ghana, Panama, and Quebec. That's where I've been since that first shot.
Now I'm in South Carolina. My husband grew up here, in the Piedmont (another name for foothills) of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It isn't as romantic as my other travels. Although it does have it's own brand of exotic...if you find bluegrass, sweet tea and lush glacial mountains of interest. This is where I've landed for now. And strangely, it's still all about missions...because people are still lost and hopeless and directionless. Here, it's not about the gospel not being preached. Here it's been preached so much that no one hears it anymore. And that is a terrible tragedy.
Tetanus. It's one shot that took me around the world...and back again. Kind of.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A Voice...
I'm watching the finale of The Voice. And rolling through my head are all of the amazing musicians and singers I've known over time. (side note...NPH is in Smurfs? ok...blogging while watching TV is a bad idea. Mute. aaaah). And I keep thinking, man, I wish this or that person could make it.
When it comes down to it, I have a few children's book ideas that I wish could make it as well.
Make it. What is "it" exactly?
Fame? Fortune? oh, and Fame?
There's a common thread with all of the talented folks I'm thinking of. They live for one cause. To make Jesus famous.
Every so often I see obituaries for people who were famous 20, 40 or more years ago. And I don't know who they were. I've never seen their movies. I don't know what they look like. They've lost "it", at least with me.
The winner is announced. The confetti falls. And off they go to tour, record...whatever for however long they can keep at the top of the market.
Talent. Do I really want to make "it" for the next few years, or do I want to do one thing...make Jesus famous. Because that is something that will last forever.
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