In Good Hands

 

Like a good firm hand shake be someone who puts others at ease.

 

 

It was approximately this time one year ago when my family and I boarded a plane headed for China.  The reason we had flown half way around the world was so we could finalize the adoption of our youngest daughter, Lia, and subsequently bring her home.  

My wife, Amy, nine year old daughter, Sianna and myself knew this would not be a vacation, however we were pleasantly surprised to know God was along for the ride.  Over three years of prayer and much faith had brought us to China. However, you can prepare the best you know how, but on a trip like this you must place your trust and sometimes even your very life in the hands of others.

I believe God knew long before we ever arrived in China that we would need many special people to help us out on our journey. Here is the story of one of those special people we were so very blessed to have in our lives, if only for a week.  His name was Mr. Wong, a middle aged Chinese man with a big smile, a good firm hand shake and no idea how to speak English.  Yet his actions spoke directly into our souls.

Our initial meeting was nothing auspicious, but rather tense and uncomfortable.  It was the third day of our adventure when we arrived at the train station in Tianjin and were greeted by our translator, Linda and her driver, Mr. Wong.  We then proceeded to the parking garage where we were quite literally squished into the backseat of a Honda Accord.  This begged the question, where would our newest daughter, Lia sit the next day when we picked her up at the orphanage?

Consequently, Amy and I began to discuss what we should do next.  Since there was no other apparent option, I needed to address the situation. So, after a long pause, I asked Linda if she could relay our concern to Mr. Wong with the hope he could get a van for the next day.  In China doing such a thing could be misconstrued as arrogant, or possibly even dishonorable. 

  

Therefore with great reservations, I listened as she asked Mr. Wong my dubious question.  He said little, but seemed a little disturbed.  Before we got out of the car Linda gave us the impression that Mr. Wong would see what he could do.  Some men rise to the occasion when they are challenged and I was hoping Mr. Wong would not disappoint.

The next day with a big smile, Mr. Wong arrived at our hotel with a used van that had plenty of room to accommodate.  I was pleased.  Then, being the skilled driver he was, he weaved his way through the crazy traffic that is driving in China. You know the kind of traffic that makes rush hour in New York City look like a joke.  

  

Throughout the five days or so we spent together with him and Linda we grew to love this man’s company.  Many people we ran into were cordial, but not personal like Mr. Wong, who happened to be a grandfather.  He gave me the impression that he loved my girls almost as much as me.  He even went out of his way to talk to them. He made Lia feel especially comfortable by speaking in Chinese to her and treating both the girls with kindness.  On one occasion when Sianna’s luggage got caught in a revolving door he came running to her aide.   He even offered me a cigarette as a kind gesture one day. Security cannot be understated when you are half a world away from your comfort zone and often at times literally scared out of your mind. Mr. Wong made us feel safe.

My favorite Mr. Wong moment had to be the day He and Linda took us to a park that resembled Who-ville, taken directly from a Dr. Seuss book.  We had been having a tough time being in a smog filled city of eight million or so people.  We felt like we were out of sorts and out of our element.  Our newly blended family needed a day to catch our breath and relax.  During the day Mr. Wong rode on the rides with the girls when they need an adult and then carried Lia’s teddy bear in her back pack as we walked through the park.  It couldn’t have come at a better time and was just what we needed.

Knowing Mr. Wong and Linda was a shared experience that my wife and two girls will always cherish.  As we said goodbye at the airport Mr. Wong bought us a whole bag of special Chinese treats to remember him by.  Even now I can still see him.   There he is smiling, standing next to  Linda waving goodbye to us with tears in his eyes, till we could no longer see him. 

A cherished memory of how one person can make a difference.  God knew we were in good hands with Mr. Wong and I’m so glad he did. 

 

Kindness is a language we should all learn to speak fluently.

Swavel

Cracked Mug

Nothing lasts forever, however many of us live as if we are the exception to this rule.

 

Nothing lasts forever is far easier said than done.  Case in point, I use a ceramic Starbucks mug every morning to drink my coffee at work.   It is the perfect size that fits my hand just right and has become a part of my daily routine. The other ceramic mugs my kids gave me I display on my desk and use them sparingly, so as not to break them. 

Herein lays my quandary.  The other day while traveling through the hallway my mug suffered a most unfortunate turn of events; I dropped it. It was only a foot or so high, but it hit the floor.  Fearing for the worst, I looked for evidence that it was broken.  Upon a thorough inspection I did not find any evident cracks and thought I was in the clear. 

However, a few days later to my utter disbelief, I discovered a crack.  So, I did a quick acid test to see if it was still serviceable as I filled it with water and it held.  Then to make sure I filled it with coffee and microwaved it.  I discovered that it leaked slightly if I left it in too long.  So, although damaged I am still using it till it won’t hold anymore. 

Subsequently that crack has become my mug’s prized feature.   It is even become more symbolic to me than the Starbucks’ logo emblazoned on the side.  It reminds me of my humanness.  Newsflash--- my life is like a mug with a crack in it.  One day that crack will get the best of me and I will get put out of service. 

In my opinion, I believe we all have cracks or flaws because God wants them there, so He can get the glory.  Paul says in the Bible that he prayed to God and asked Him to remove a difficulty in his life, perhaps a flaw.  However, it was never taken away, so Paul just learned to rely on God all the more.

We are all flawed.  For instance, I can’t assemble anything to save my life.  Instructions look like gibberish to me.  For example, a few Sundays ago my friend, Dave offered to help me assemble my new propane grill that came with a fourteen step instruction manual.  Thank goodness he did help because I was starting to go into panic mode. However, with his help we had it assembled forty five minutes later.

Just to be clear having a crack like a mug is far different than being cracked like an egg.  For instance, the other day I accidentally dropped a bag which was holding a carton of eggs.  Although it was only a foot off the ground I made a mess breaking six of them and immediately had to throw them away. 

In life, I have come across people who feel as worthless as those cracked eggs and believe they have no value anymore.  Instead I believe we are more like a cracked mug that is still of great service.  The point being I will take my crack in my mug and learn to use my flaws, like Paul did to honor God.

Do your best and forget the rest, cracks and all.

Swavel