Bucket list 38 – serving the one

The great parable of the shepherd leaving the ninety and nine to search for the one who was lost gives us a model for life, which if followed, will bless our lives in ways never imagined. Each of the parables of Christ gives us a focused message of love through faith, hope, and charity. We see examples of this kind of caring every moment of our lives as people reach out to help others. Jean and I watched a movie titled Saratov Approach about two LDS missionaries kidnapped in Russia in 1998. The story was gripping, but the thing that caught my attention was the outpouring of love and prayers from all over the world, disregarding any differences in religion, or other human elements. The world prayed those young missionaries home.

While attending a picnic recently I had occasion to visit with a fine fellow and his wife who are part of a Stake Presidency in our church. I shared my views with him regarding the role of Christ and his teachings in our life and he, in return, shared what his group was doing to enact serve those very people who most need the blessings of ministering angels. He shared the direction they had been given to actively seek out those who had lost their way by reaching out to them in very personal ways. All the activities aimed at this great goal were person to person, peer to peer. I mentioned that in our calling we are asked to observe and seek out those who seem to be on the outside looking in; then reach out to them through fellowship and understanding.

My wonderful brother Glenn has always had a house full of people. I used to refer caringly to these people as strays (coming from ranching language) because they show up in the strangest places just where they have been planted for us to either ignore, or to do that which Christ would have us do and share what we have with them. Most have been damaged by health, addiction, family, employment, anger, mental angst, war or any of a thousand other elements of life. Each needs to feel a tiny bit of welcome; a smidgeon of love and support; and a ton of encouragement regarding the future.

Lots of lip service has been heard from the politicians and bureaucrats regarding education, helping the poor, caring for those who have lost their limbs and minds in service to our country, and many, many more aids that would assist people. Recently, I became involved in a one-man campaign to help one of these groups – military humans returning from war. I have personally visited with the liaisons the two US Senators, Mike Lee and Oren Hatch. Both were very cordial and listened quietly, but gave no hint as to what they might think or do about my suggestion. I suspect nothing will come of my suggestion, because these kinds of things are not pretty. My suggestion was to take some of the large abandoned facilities like hotels, and decaying condominium projects and turn them into places much like my brother shares with those in need. These would be places where medical, nutritional, spiritual, services are made available immediately; where red tape did not get in the way of basic decency; where the use of these facilities would bless the lives of those using such an oasis as well as those in the community in which these facilities were based.

God bless the thousands, if not millions of wonderful people all over the world who reach out and tough the one. God bless you as you serve and do what God would have you do.

Duane Jacobs, grandfather, father, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend