Living lives of caring

October 4, 2014

Physical health is very important. When we are physically strong we are able to work, play, and generally function in our family and community. We often diminish our health through neglect and downright willful disobedience to the promptings and prodding of our friends, loved ones and medical community. Several years ago I began having serious problems with my heart, pulmonary system, and blood clotting issues.  Many concerned, loving, caring people told me to get regular physical activity and eat correctly. My mind still remained in the teenage mode of thinking that youth would always be with me and that I was generally immortal. Over the years, things kept getting worse and after heart attacks, blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, and general degeneration of vital bodily functions. Now, I am not talking about sinister kinds of behavior. I fully embrace the principles of the Gospel and have, to the best of my ability followed the admonition to come unto Christ and rid myself of all ungodliness. The subsequent blessing from following Christ and ridding ourselves of all ungodliness is the promise that we will, by the Grace of God be perfect in Christ and deny not his power.

Time and life as it is have enabled me to be provided with a life-saving tool that just a few years ago was simply an imaginary star wars toy that might be available someday. A slim metal tool was placed under my skin and two electric probes run through my vein and “screwed” into my heart lining. Pace makers have been around for years; however, the defibulator I received acts as both a pace maker and a three phase defibulator that takes care of my heart by sending little messages in the form of electrical shocks varying in degree from tender tickles (more like a hammer to the chest) to an all out shocking of the heart to return it’s life giving beat.

As grateful for this life saving devise as I am, I can’t help but look to another tool that has blessed my life from a very early age, sending messages to my spirit when I was in my, “dumb as a rock” phases. This tool is available to us all. It is of course, the Holy Ghost. Like the defribulator, we have to ask for it; then, listen to its promptings, or messages. While I have only had two promptings from my defibulator, I have had literally thousands from that still small voice that guides, admonishes, and teaches us to love God, Love our fellow man, and love ourselves. Sometimes I have been able to listen, understand, and act favorably on these promptings without undue loss of spirituality. Other times I have had to be given the highest levels of the charge by the Holy Ghost to return to the Iron Rod; the Word of God.

In a constant broadcast mode, the Holy Ghost provides us with one of the most cherished blessings we have; the blessing of knowing, then giving what we have to those in need. My brother Glenn has always been one of the most giving, caring persons I have known. He shares a few of his activities each week in a family letter. Here is an example. I spent three whole days washing abandoned bedding – and burning that which was mildewed, ripped or otherwise beyond cleaning up.

 

St. Vincent's gave about a pickupload of bagged clothing to Pete. He gave it to Robert. Robert gave it to me. I gave it to Springerville Auto Wreckers as a lifetime supply of engine wipers. Except that the shoes went to Animal Rescue Thrift.

I hauled the two abandoned couches to Hopkins and when I rang the doorbell, Dollie was inside, explaining that the couches are coming. Robert took them. Carl and José both got very sick and spent time in the hospital. When they got back, they jumped right into the clean-up project. I took the rotted food out of the cottage refrigerator and mucked it out. Cristina spent all morning detail cleaning it, and it turned out all right. Forrest has spent an amazing amount of time detailing and painting the cottage.

We don’t know these people, but God does. They are his children and God has given them into our care to share with what we have; to seek out and provide in times of need. We do have the Holy Ghost to prompt and guide us to those in need physically, mentally, and spiritually.

God bless each of us as we encounter and embrace those who have been given into our care and share with them the pure love of God as we can.

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