Go Beyond

My wife will tell you that until a few years ago, the thing I hated most about travel was packing for a trip. Over time, however, I developed a system for packing that has made putting my stuff into my luggage a bit more tolerable. Of course, returning home means I have to take things out of my luggage, including lots of stuff that needs to be laundered. For me, that means a trip to the dry cleaner, usually the day after I return home.

I have taken my clothes to the same dry cleaner for the past seven-plus years. They do a great job of laundering my clothes. And because I stop by at least once or twice a week, I have come to know and appreciate the folks who work there. When they see me pull into one of their parking spaces, they will usually have my ticket filled out by the time I get into the store. I like that kind of service.

Whenever I am preparing to go out-of-town I make it a point to tell the nice folks at the dry cleaners that I will be away and what I will be doing. They know that I am a pastor who leads others to serve around the world. This morning, I had a conversation with the manager. She was out sick when I returned home from Jordan late last week. So, this morning she asked me about my trip.

I told my manager friend about how my team and I served Syrian refugee families living in Jordan. I also shared with her about some of the losses these families have experienced and the challenges that they are facing as they try to rebuild their lives. As I was talking, the young lady’s eyes welled up with tears. “I don’t know if I could ever do something like that,” she said. “It would be so hard for me to see families in so much pain.”

My friend thanked me for what we had done to help the Syrian refugee families and especially for sharing the hope of the gospel with them. I was moved by her tears, her tender heart, and her encouraging words. The Lord reminded me this morning that there are lots of people we come across in our regular routines who care deeply about what is happening in our world.

I know that so many of the people I interact with in the course of my daily comings and goings will never be able to travel to places like Jordan to meet the practical needs of people in pain. But that does not make them any less compassionate or concerned about the plight of others. I believe that God is moved by their tears and that He hears the prayers and longings of their hearts for the welfare of those in pain.

I know that I am privileged to be able to serve people in need around the world and to mobilize others to do the same. I will never take such a privilege for granted. But I am even more privileged to know really nice and hard-working people who affirm me in what I do and who really do care about what is happening in our world. I appreciate the tears of everyday people.