Choosing wisely

If you think you may have seen this image before, you’re right. I want to step back into the past for a few minutes, give me a moment and I will explain. First this is Tuesday’s post being done a day early, I’ve got some things I need to take care of tomorrow and I wanted to get this done now.
Secondly, I couldn’t wait for tomorrow, since I’m so excited about this post, I want to do it right now!

Do you remember in the last Indiana Jones film when Indiana must choose wisely among the many cups, one of which Christ had used at the last supper? You remember what happened to the man that did not choose wisely. Let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty picture.

The images in this post are from the Savannah Workshop I did last year with Scott Kelby and some other great friends. At that workshop I met a man that has had a profound impact on my life. The moment I met Al Crook, I knew he was special. Al is one of those kinds of guys that you just can’t help but like. He is full of energy for life, and his kindness and concern for others flows from him.
When your in his presence you are blessed, just to be there. After the workshop was over I thought of Al often. When I started the blog, he commented from time to time.

Later when Scott and I decided to try and get the gang back together for a reunion , Al was one of the first people that came to my mind. I was really looking forward to seeing him again. When he did not register I started to worry and I got in touch with him. He told me he had been battling cancer and was just not going to be up to it, but sure wished he could. I prayed for Al and thought of him often. Today I got the chance to give him a call and check on him.

I was thrilled to hear
that at his last Doc
visit he was told
things looked good
and he didn’t have
to come back for
a number of months.
We shared about
how tough it is to go
through cancer
treatments and just
how lousy it makes
you feel. We both
have lived through
those times.

At the end of the conversation, I asked Al how I could, specifically, pray for him. His answer once again opened my eyes to what God wants from us and how my Heavenly Father is using Al to bless me and others. Al said, “Please pray that I will rest in and depend on Him.” What a powerful word of knowledge. When we are going through times of pain and discomfort it is normal to say God please take this away from me. Real wisdom is to say God, I don’t know the purpose of what I’m facing, but I do know you love me and you wouldn’t allow it unless it can ultimately bring good to me and glory to you. So in affect, Al said to God, have at it, I can take it if you will stay by my side and allow me to come out of it, the man you want me to become.

When the scripture said that Jesus said, “Lest you be like these little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” He was saying, in modern language, unless you trust me completely, you
still don’t get it. Al gets it.

Thank you my brother for sharing your life and wisdom with me. I will pray for your full recovery and return to wonderful health. I will also spend a good bit of my time trying to get back in touch with the child in me that trusts completely, and chooses wisely…………..

the pilgrim