How do we measure a life?

Jesus said that a man’s life consists of more than his possessions. Some would say relationships with friends and family matter most.

The Shay family lost all but their lives in about seven minutes, when a van exploded into flame in their carport. Their life is more than a house. Yet that home was much more than stuff. People who live with them and many who visit or come there to work as a short term mission call it Rivendale (the peaceful and safe home of Elves in the Lord of the Rings stories).

Their sixteen year old daughter awoke with a headache. She was warm so she opened her window and heard their car horn (at the opposite end of the house from where all sleep). By the time she went downstairs to awaken her parents the fire was sweeping through their home. In seven minutes all was gone but miraculously David, Emily and their four children escaped.

As they walked us through the charred remains they spoke of hope and of what matters most. Pray that GM will cover the loss of their possessions. Pray their vision be fulfilled. They showed us the room where the table had been set for the KMI pastors’ regional gathering. Then they drove us to their farm to see newborn chicks, lambs and hear their vision for beauty out of ashes (Isaiah 61). Their church (and life) mission statement is to rebuild, repair and restore Isaiah 58:11-12, which also says that when we meet God’s conditions of compassion for others He will guide and satisfy our desire continually in scorched places.

Summerville, PA is our last ministry stop, then the team works an Atlanta Microsoft Show before ministering in Little Rock on their way home, returning May 22. We have touched many hurting people - some have lost jobs or retirement savings in this troubled economy. Some have lost marriages or temporarily are separated from their children due to drugs or demonic oppression. Some have lost hope. I spoke long with a young man the other day who was on a suicide watch and felt helpless to introduce him to Jesus.

On this trip our value system has been challenged to say the least. Will stuff like TV shows, newer, bigger, better electronics or possessions matter less? Will the gospel matter more? Saving people from hell? Bringing beauty and hope to people whose lives are ashes? Satisfying Jesus’ own thirst. Certainly I desire to laugh more, slow down, appreciate family, honor friends. -PD

2011 A Year of Tending: Focus, Faithfulness and Fruit