John and Montie

I got a call yesterday that John appeared to have suffered a stroke yesterday morning. If you don't know John, it's your loss. He's an elder at the South Knoxville Church of Christ. John's not a man who leads by words. He leads by example. He doesn't talk about the importance of missions work. He shows its importance by organizing medical missions trips to Latin America. I believe he cares as much about the work in Honduras as he does about the work in Knoxville.

I went to the hospital yesterday as quickly as I could. John was still in the emergency room. His wife Montie was in the waiting room with several members of the South Knoxville congregation. Just like John, if you don't know Montie you're missing out. Montie is to me, the female version of Barnabas. She is an encourager. She was obviously concerned about John's condition and kept people updated as visitors came and went.

As John was having an MRI performed, she began a conversation with another of our deacons, Steve and myself. The focus of her concern and conversation was what we as a congregation could do to keep our shut-ins involved in the worship. She wants us to begin streaming services live on the Internet so those at home are able to watch. That in turn led her to talk about what we can do as a group to continue to stress the importance of giving so the church can do more for people.

Her husband was being examined to find out how severe his stroke was. He was sedated and hooked up to a breathing tube. She was focused on what we as Christians could be doing for others. On one hand, this seemed unbelievable. Then I realized I was talking with Montie and remembered this wasn't so extraordinary after all; that's just her.

I was reminded of something I read about President George W. Bush when he would meet the families of troops killed in the Middle East. He would come away from those meetings so encouraged by what the families had to say that he would comment on, "the comforter being comforted." That's how I felt yesterday.

I went to the hospital yesterday out of my concern for John but also to think I would in some small way comfort Montie. Yet when I walked back to the car I realized I was the one comforted, encouraged and made to look at the greater good. We'll all be praying for this family just as we have for the last 24 hours. I know that as I pray for John's health and hopeful recovery though, I'll also be saying a prayer of thanks for these two people. I'm thankful to know them and work with them. I'm thankful they have the focus they have and I'm thankful they are who they are.