Special
Note: This week's article is written by Kim Brown, Assistant
Professor of Mathematics, Tarrant County College—Northeast
Campus, and a member of Krum United Methodist Church
Have you called a friend that you know
is dealing with a crisis and uttered the words, “Is
there anything I can do to help?” Only to hear the
usual response “oh there is really nothing you can
do, but thanks anyway?” You end your conversation
with “I’ll keep you in my prayers.”
After making the call and extending the hand of Christian
charity your duty is done and you are resolved of any
further responsibility. You can get back to your life.
I mean really, what are you supposed to do? How can you
feel guilty? After all, you offered to help and they rejected
the offer. In this situation I feel badly, my conscience
tweaks me and I know I have not done all I can, but rather
the least I can.
Christy Thomas, our beloved pastor, has
been back and forth to Dallas for the last two weeks visiting
her father in the hospital. After a number of strokes,
a broken hip and surgery on his hip, she had to call in
hospice. Making the difficult medical and financial decisions
necessary for the care of her dying father and aging mother
have left her drained. Truly wanting to be of help I called
her and asked “What can I do to help?” Expecting
the usual absolving response which would free me to do
what I wanted rather than what she needed, I was surprised
when she responded with “Write an article.”
Well, that made me pull up short. As a college professor,
public speaking does not bother me. I am comfortable teaching
Sunday school. Having filled the pulpit a few times in
my past you would think writing a short article would
be a fairly simple task. I assured Christy I would send
her an article to review before the paper’s deadline
two days hence.
As soon as I hung up the phone I was regretting
my offer. I do not like to write and avoid the task as
if I were allergic. My philosophy, which has served me
well for years, has been this: volunteer early for chores
you want so that you will not be assigned something you
do not want. But want the task or not, it became mine
to do.
I tried to develop one, then another and
again another favorite scripture verse into a thought
provoking lesson (which Christy does so well), but it
just would not come together. I tried a topic I used in
the past when called on to deliver the Sunday message.
I could not quite develop that thought either. I am not
a theologian. Finally I remembered the advice frequently
given to would-be writers: “write about what you
know.” I know what it means to ask “Is there
anything I can do to help?” and I know that students
learn what they are ready to learn which is not always
what I am trying to teach.
So after sharing my “what can I do
to help” experience, what have I learned?
1. The article is written; hence, God has
shown- I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me, Philippians 4:13.
2. Be careful what you ask for you may get your wish.
3. Serving is doing what is needed not what you want do.
4. When someone asks you if they can help, give them something
to do. They honestly want to help but do not know what
would be helpful.
5. A greater appreciation for Christy’s weekly thoughts
on the Christian life.
From Christy: I am
very grateful both for Kim's offer to help and the powerful
words she has written--these are words of faithfulness
and grace. As for me and my family: the situation has
remained complicated as my father's deep dementia has
left him extremely combative and unable to cooperate with
medical personnel. Before the Hospice organization can
step in to help provide their compassionate end-of-life
care, the medical staff of Baylor Hospital need to find
a series of medications that will help my father to become
calmer. I remain the point person for this effort and
it means most of my time right now is spent in Dallas.
Thank you for the
many other calls and offers of help and also the multitude
of prayers for me and my family. I can't even begin to
list the people here who have stepped forward to pick
up responsibilities and give comfort. Truly, this church
models Christian care and genuine love. What great joy
to be a part of your lives.
At this point, I
do expect to be back in the pulpit on Sunday, but those
plans remain tentative. I am confident that if I am not
able to be there, competent people will take my place.
Christy
The Rev. Dr. Christy Thomas, Pastor, Krum
UMC
Questions or comments about this article?
Please contact me at christy@krumumc.org
or phone the church office at 940-482-3482.
