We have weathered the storm.

 Seems we have "weathered the storm" that we faced two weeks ago.  Oh we still have our "situations", but nothing in comparison to the trials of that one week.   

Yet, when I look at what the Haitian people face daily, in comparison to what we face daily, we do have a life of a lot more ease than they do.  It all comes down to who we are, where we are and how we respond, doesn't it?  I've seen Haitians who  have a walk each and every day in great need... need of food, a place to live, a way to care for their family.... but they have a peace, a joy that many who "have" don't show.  It all comes down to GRACE.... God's grace.  God's peace. And totally God's presence in their lives.   

We have a woman and her daughter who help us out at different times.  They have nothing.  Fight to simply survive.  They never ask us for anything, but check on us to make sure we don't need anything.  The momma comes and irons clothes when I call her.  They both come and clean the dorm when we have teams coming.  And this is pretty much all they have.  Yes, Don pays them well when we call them to help us, but that isn't the total picture.  They will stop in and offer to wash floors or do dishes, whatever.  If I say sorry, but we have no money... they laugh and say, "no, you didn't call us to work, we just want to help you, no pay."  And ALWAYS, ALWAYS, they are smiling and happy.  They praise God they are alive and have each other.  I have heard they help some "poor" Haitian families who are suffering.  They will sit with someone who is sick and help out.  They will watch a child when needed... all without pay.  But then people they are not involved with see this, and find a way to help them out, too.  They show God's gift of giving to others, and God finds ways to help them through people who SEE what they do.

This is only one example.  But I often wonder how people see US.  Are they seeing a loving, giving God in how we live and how we react to things?  I pray they are.  But I also know we are mortal creatures and have many faults.  I pray they see God in us in what we do, and that they not center on our faults.   

At the airport, I have tried to be the type of person God would expect me to be.  I try to treat all there as equals and smile and great everyone.  And I enjoy the fact that it seems everyone knows my name and smiles at me.  The head of security and one of the top officials in the office were talking to me yesterday.  One of them said, we (the airport) need to give you a plaque.  I asked why, because I'm the oldest person here?  He said no, because you always make everyone happy.  I don't do that for praise at all.  I simply know most of these people have nothing to be happy about, and I want to see them smile.  The same at the store here, or wherever I go.  I know they all have so many problems, you can see it in their eyes.  Yet a smile brightens their day.  Yes, maybe only for a few minutes, but it is something to make them smile.  I know when I'm having a rough time and someone makes me smile, it brightens my day.   

I think it's like that...statement, or movie, or wherever I've heard it.... "PLAY IT FORWARD!"  Share with others...no matter what it is, a smile, a dollar, a bit of bread, or more importantly, God's Love and Grace.  God gave me a lift through someone else, the least I can do is to share with someone else that same way.  I really like the idea of "playing it forward" and creating a giving society.  Giving and sharing God's love with others in whatever way He would have us do it.

That is a challenge for you today.  Can YOU play it forward?  Can you share with others as others have shared with you?  Be it a smile to someone who looks down, a tip for your waitress that she doesn't expect, a pat on the back for someone who has done a good job, a hug for someone hurting.... you look and think how God would have YOU play it forward.  But do it in God's love and grace.

Are you up for that challenge?  When you do it, God also gives you something, you know.  He gives you the knowledge that you have lifted up someone in need, no matter what the need.  I know a few people back home who do that a lot.  And I praise God that they are the example of what He does in them for others.   

I know this was a bit disjointed, but I am praising God for an event-less week as far as circumstances go.  And I want to praise Him for all He has done for us.  HE is our reason for being here.  He is our reason for having joy beyond compare.  HE is simply our all in all, and we can praise Him all the time.