mein Vater…the man is ridiculous.
I was reminded last night, yet again, what an amazing man my father is. I truly hope that someday I become half the man he is. I was slightly confused last night when I heard my dad bustling around the house at 11:30pm. Typically he’s only up that late when he gets called in for an emergency operation, when he’ll stumble out of bed and race out the door to save someone’s life. My suspicions only grew when I heard the unmistakable creak of our luggage closet, just outside my bedroom door. Far too curious to sleep, I hopped out of bed and asked him what the heck he was doing.
“I’m going to Haiti tomorrow. They won’t let any commercial flights in, but I got a call from Uncle Scott today that there was one seat left on a private plane that can get in there with people to help.”
I couldn’t help but smile in pride and head back into my room. What blows my mind is the fact that I was not remotely surprised… He went into NYC and treated injuries of victims on 9/11 and prayed with their families. He flew to India in 2004 when the tragic tsunami wiped out over 230,000 people. He went back again to set up a medical clinic, treating patients and training doctors and nurses. He went down to New Orleans after hurricane Katrina to help any way he could. He’s been to Burkina Faso, Africa 3 times in the past year to bring medical supplies and treat anyone who needed care. He’s been to several other parts of the world, on several medical missions trips…more than I can even remember to count.
This is not all to say ‘my dad is better than your dad!’ or give me another reason to stick my nose up in the air, trying to unjustifiably absorb any secondhand praise or attention. I just can’t help but share what an amazing example and encouragement my father is. He doesn’t tell people about it or come home waving his flag in victory. He comes home to be a father, a husband, and a guy who saves lives in the United States too. I’m so blessed just to learn from him and witness the impact he has on the lives of so many people…from his own household to the 6th poorest country in the world.
This is an inspiration. My dad is just one example of how you can take the gifts God has given you and use them to make a difference in people’s lives. You don’t have to be a surgeon or fly around the world. A loving smile or a few words of encouragement can save a life just as easily.
We don’t get a whole lot of time on this earth. Find your gifts and use them to shine a little light in someone’s life.
2 years ago • 4 notes
