The Right Helps

There's a line from one of my favorite television shows of all time, where the guy who led the strategy resulting in victory is being congratulated on his work. Humbling acknowledging that it wouldn't have happened without the rest of the group, he simply replied: "It helps when you cook with the right food.".

I had my own such moment, albeit on an insignificant scale. The one tool I needed for a task on my to do list, was missing a critical piece, that would have helped that tool do the most effective and efficient job. After a pretty lengthy search involving the retracing of steps (aka: where did you put it when it was last in your hand) I found a much older tool and took a chance. It worked out, but I had a few moments of "this is not gonna look right when I'm done". Frustrating as it was, it easily took over an hour longer than it should have (which is normally maybe 10 or 15 minutes).

Yet, trying to make the best of it, it dawned on me...is this how missionaries feel when they don't have what the need? "The right food" to use Bruno's phrase. The right tool for the job as was my case last night. The right helps...whatever they may be, that will enable missionaries to do the best job possible, at an efficient pace with effective results.

Sadly, a "super-majority" of them, if you will, do not. (if I dare to speculate for the purpose of this post)  That said, I can't tell you how many times when my Pastor has discussed missions, how many missionaries ask for our financial support and at times you can only do so much. Give credit to God's blessing, I think our church is at 75-80 missionaries per month, currently

That said...it's not enough. They need our prayer. They need our support.

On this #missionsFriday, pray for missionaries, that God would provide, through the super-natural and through people, the "right helps". Pray for finances and resources to pour in to the mission field. Pray for tools and laborers for construction projects, food for feeding programs and relief for those devastated by natural disasters. Pray for strength and encouragement, that God has not forgotten nor neglected those on the mission field. Pray for creativity in using the tools and resources that are currently available as they try to make the most of what is in their hands. Pray for open doors and open hearts, that generosity would manifest itself from the most unlikely of sources. Pray for a renewed sense of faith, a new level of trust and increased stamina that when they've done all they can do, the remain standing...resting in God

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