THANKFUL

 

Jesus commands us: Go to every corner of the world and proclaim my gospel to all people—Mark 16:15 (King Jimmy Translation).

 

The Massage

“No Swahili Required”

(part four of four)

 

Sweet and Sour patted my back. “Yu turn oveh. Yu finish now.”

Do I have too? This is too heavenly.

Your humble Aggie scribe felt like a wet dishcloth. I wanted to spend the afternoon meditating on Sweet & Sour’s table, but I imagine spending the remainder of the day on his table would resemble a bill at a Trump Hotel.

“Thanks so much, my friend.” Wisdom advised me not to call him “Sweet & Sour.” Should I bow to him and spare my hand another crushing? Fortunately, this time he didn’t shatter my hand.

“Yu come bak. Make a-point-rent.”

“I will. Thank you.”

“How’d you like that,” the Admiral said. “Are you relaxed now? Your legs sturdy as sponges?”

“Well, yeah. They’re kinda wobbly,” I said. “I was a little apprehensive at first, but my guy did a good job.” I rolled my neck and shook my arms at my side. “No tense muscles anywhere.”

True to his promise, the Admiral picked up the tab.

Again, wisdom directed me to leave Sweet & Sour a considerable tip, more than the two dollars I had in mind. I envisioned him seeing the two bucks, grabbing my limp body with one hand and chunking me into the parking, saying “Have nice dey! Yu no make a-point-rent.”

The Lord and I continued our conversation as I wound my way through the neighborhood toward home. I am so relaxed, Lord. I’ll be useless the rest of the day. This would be a good excuse to put off the yard work.

You’ve got work ahead of you other than cutting the grass, Jimmy. What did I reveal to you about your hands, feet, and back?

Let’s see, Lord—you use my hands to do your work here, my feet take your message everywhere I go, and the wounds on your back set me free from fear and healing for my soul so I can do your work here. Is that about right, Lord?

Very good. You can pay attention after all, can’t you, Aggie?

Something told me the Lord would follow with this question. I took a deep breath.

So. Jesus paused a few seconds. Now that you realize you have skin in this crucifixion thing, when are you gonna step out of your complacency and start doing these things I ask of you? Remember, your part in the crucifixion includes your new responsibilities, too.

I pulled into my driveway and sat in the truck for a while, contemplating what the Lord meant. “You’re not gonna make me sell everything, learn Swahili and send me to a distant continent, are you?” I joked out loud. “You and I might have a hard time convincing Mrs. Aggie to give up these luxuries.”

No Swahili required.

Whew. That was a relief.

I’m sending you into a much bigger place to make an impact—your world.

Okay, Lord. You’re gonna have to spell this out to your Aggie servant.

Remember, you take the message of Light into the despair of this fallen world. There are folks whose life is falling apart and they need hope. That’s where I come in. I offer them hope. There are some people who, you know, life—‘stuff happens’—has hit them like a freight train. I put derailed lives onto heavenly tracks. In fact, I can make their life better than they can imagine. Keep your eyes open—I am sending some wounded souls into your path for you to show kindness. They’ve been told they’re a failure, a loser, or worse yet, an accident. They’re not! I have a purpose for their life. How will they know I can make them into a new person, give them eternal life and do all these marvelous things unless you tell them?

I remember some bleak times in my life before you stepped in, Lord. I lived in a pothole on the devil’s highway. Seemed like the devil’s eighteen-wheelers pounded my head constantly.

That’s right, Aggie. That’s what I do—put the broken back together. Now you go and tell others what I can do for them.

“I’m willing, Lord.” I said. “Maybe I should make an a-point-rent for a massage more often.”

Lord God, you have entrusted your followers to share your message of hope and forgiveness. May you find us faithful in fulfilling this holy commission. Let others see your love and grace as we bring the lost and hurting to you.

Stay close to Jesus.

Jimmy

P.S. There’s one good thing that could have happened if I became a missionary. For my readers who are blessed by my speech impediment, I learned that when you speak Swahili, you can stutter and no one would know it. All right!

Jimmy Eskew © 2017