Trial Run?
John Havener April 20th, 2008
Recently some beloved young friends of mine were catapulted into a time of tremendous stress and need, and their situation raises questions in my mind about another dimension of preparation and response that requires action at the congregational and/ or community level. Here is their story: This married couple just had the successful home birth of their fourth child when immediately afterwards the wife swooned into a seizure like event. The midwife attending did not know what to do, so the husband wisely called 911 and help was on the way. Big problem was that there were three other children in the home… four years old and under! Thankfully, they live in a small community with true Christian friends and neighbors, so help was available even during the initial emergency. Although the husband’s mom lived in an adjoining community, and would help with the children, she could not do the whole job or even most of it. Are we ready to protect and care for the children of those suddenly affected by serious medical emergency, natural disaster or persecution??? Days of hospitalization followed and the husband understandably wanted to be at his wife’s side to oversee her care and encourage her…but there were three other children involved. Again thankfully, trusted Christian friends and family stepped up to the plate and cared for the older children (Baby was in the newborn nursery). Sometimes the kids were temporarily split up to lessen the intensity of the load. Pastoral leaders helped coordinate, and food help was added into the mix…But this real life drama continues with the new mom needing someone with her at home when dad returns to work… and some of the initial helpers are quite tired, not to mention mom and dad. Put yourself in this scenario!
If you have children, serious thought needs to be given and possibly written instructions need to be prepared and discussed regarding what to do for the children if you and your spouse are both suddenly removed from the home. Of course, if you are removed by death you would want to have specified the children’s guardians in an up to date will. But a temporary removal from their lives can be stressful, especially if confusion or neglect is added to an already bad situation. So work out a starting plan with family and friends. Writing out your children’s’ special likes, dislikes, etc and their usual routine can make the caregivers task much easier and reduce the stress level on your children. If you do not have close family, this makes building good relationships with trustworthy Christian friends even more important.
If you are a pastoral or community leader, formulating a generic plan of rapid response in advance can be a lifesaver, especially for those in need, but also for you since many would be looking your way for help in time of crisis. Nothing quite establishes a leader and his or her team like “delivering the goods” to those in real need in a crunch. Finally, a clearing hose of local info on displaced loved ones in a major disaster or wave of persecution will fill a huge need…we can no longer simply rely on the Red Cross or local Law Enforcement Agencies to help us if things get very serious. Remember Hurricane Katrina and the collapse of Law Enforcement in parts of New Orleans!
Use occasions like the one mentioned above as a “Trial Run” to learn and grow in your ability to serve others in time of great need.
Then the King will say to the people on his right, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world. I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.’
(Matthew 25:34-36 GNB)
There is a hope that will never disappoint–the hope in the Lord. He will never leave us and He will never fail us. Christianity has been given the greatest hope the world has ever heard–Jesus is going to return to rule over the earth. He will establish His Throne upon righteousness and justice. Not only will everyone be treated fairly, but He is going to restore the original paradise that the earth was intended to be. The lion will lay down with the lamb; children will be able to play with cobras; and there will be no more mourning, dying, crying, or pain in all the earth.