Too Busy?

I know one of the reasons God has me in Cheyenne is because of the military presence here. I love going onto the Air Force base and meeting the people and engaging them in conversations. I've always been fascinated with the whole military lifestyle. Terri Lynn says I should have been in the miltary. I say I am, I'm in the army of God.



While I enjoy talking to currently serving people, I LOVE talking to the generations that have gone before me and listening to their stories! Before I go any further, let me say that some veterans won't or can't talk about their experiences. I understand that. But I think more will than won't, they've just never been asked the right way. People can sense when you're being genuine. Now I also understand that not everyone is a "natural" at talking to a complete stanger in a grocery store. You know what, neither was I at first. It was something I had to be intentional at getting better at. When you work for and with the public, you'll either get comfortable or it will eat you up. All those years for me in the public, good and bad, have done nothing but totally prepare for this moment. Imagine that. Think God has a plan.



Anyway, the other day I was working away in Walmart and I met "Jim". Jim was shopping alone, was somewhat frail, and had very arthritic hands. First I helped Jim find the Velveeta and the Ritz and some salsa. Then I felt the Spirit prompt me to talk to him. So I introduced myself to him gently shook his hand and asked him this question--"So Jim, tell me about your wartime experience". (Let me say that I don't recommend that as a "normal" first question) Jim looked up, looked me in the eye, and asked me to repeat the question. So I did. Now I won't give you all the details about the next five minutes of conversation. Let me just I was as blessed by it as he was. But I will tell you some--



--it was during the Korean War, he was in the Navy, and he did his duty and served his country proudly. Then he told me how most of buddies, his "family", had gotten "wiped-out" and he hadn't. Then he made this satement--"I've always felt guilty about that!" WOW. I knew my next words would be vital. I looked him right in the eye and said "Jim, it's not your fault, it's NOT your fault!" Then he took a deep breath and you could just see the pain release as he exhaled. We looked at each other through a couple of tears. He thanked me, I thanked him and then he was gone. Jim had been carrying that burden for over fifty years.



Why share that story? Well I could go many different directions with this but here is my point. How many times have you and I missed moments like that because we thought we were too "busy"? Now I know life can be crazy and busy and intense. Many times I have been so focused on the goal, the task at hand, the accomplishment, the point A to pont B kind of thinking that I have totally missed the ministry opportunity right in front of me.



The Bible is full of stories of when Jesus was going from point A to B yet He stopped an healed and blessed and ministered to the people right in front of Him. One of my favorite songs on the Lifesongs CD by Casting Crowns is "Set me free". It talks about exactly that. Jesus was on His way to Gerasenes and yet stopped to "set-free" a demon-possesed man.



Honestly, I was a little busy that day in Walmart. Yet all it took was five minutes of my time to help Jim begin to be "set free" from years of holding in the guilt and pain. May you and I always not be too busy for moments such as this.