It’s Never Too Late…

It’s never too late for God to use you.

Wednesday, February 12, was container day here at New Missions. That means we emptied our jam-packed warehouse with shoeboxes and supplies for Haiti and loaded them into a huge 40-foot cargo container. It’s then taken away by a semi truck. Every inch of the container was utilized. The journey is long. The truck heads to Miami where the container is put onto a ship to Haiti. The container then has to go through customs before being released and delivered to New Missions.

It was extremely warm day to pack the container. Actually, it was down-right hot for Florida in February, nearing 90 degrees. Thankfully, we had a group of volunteers to help load the truck which was no easy feat.

Among the volunteers was Jeanne’s husband, Ted. I’ve been around Ted a number of times now and he is always a joy to be around. Need help, Ted is right there. Need a little encouragement, Ted always has a kind word. Every time I see Ted, he always has a big smile on his face. He is the sweetest, most humble, joyful man. He loves Jesus and has such a servant’s heart.

The group faced a number of challenges yesterday and everyone took it all in stride. But every time I turned around, I would see Ted smiling, encouraging others and getting right in the trenches to help pack huge, heavy boxes. It was fascinating watching the guys, toward the end, try to navigate how the last boxes were going to fit. It was like putting the last pieces of the puzzle together. Ted was always right there. Nothing seemed to rattle him. He was happy to be there and happy to help – whatever that meant. It didn’t matter that they had been working for hours. It didn’t matter it was hot. Ted seemed to enjoy every minute. He was so excited to put the lock on the truck – sealing the container that would bless so many children in Haiti.

His incredible example and joyful spirit teaches us an important life lesson. It’s important to serve wherever we are with a joyful attitude. God is still using Ted at age 79—and be encouraged; God wants to use you too.

How can you serve others joyfully today?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24