John and Montie Part 2

John went home from the hospital a couple of days ago. That certainly doesn't mean he's healthy and fine. I think it just had more to do with the fact that the hospital felt it had done all it could do. He still hasn't regained full and complete consciousness. He still speaks just a few words at a time.

I keep thinking of Montie; particularly during that first day John was in the hospital. When I arrived at the emergency room there were several others from church already there. I was able to stay for awhile but had to leave to take care of some business. When I returned that afternoon, some of the people who had been there earlier had left but others had come and taken their place.

By that afternoon John had been stablized but the doctors still weren't sure what had caused his condition nor did they know what would happen to him. He was sedated and was having an MRI done. There was Montie, uncertain of her husband's condition. She was obviously concerned about what had happened and what might still happen.

While waiting for the test to finish, she came over and sat next to me. She asked if I would do something for her. Of course I told her I'd do anything I could. I was thinking she would ask me to run an errand or do something then and there to assist her. In typical Montie fashion though, her request was not about herself or her family. She asked me if the next time I had the opportunity to speak at church if I would talk about the importance of giving.

She mentioned an illustration I had used a few years ago that stressed how easy giving could become. She told me she felt we as a church weren't doing enough particularly in the field of missions work. She wanted to know if I could use that illustration and speak about giving. At first I was caught off guard considering the time, place and circumstances of her request. As the day went on though and now as more time has gone by I realize that was just another example of this lady displaying the character and faith so many of us have come to expect from her. I told her I would.

Over the past few weeks she herself has shown all of us how she continues to give even in the face of her own situation regarding John. Visitors to the hospital were asked to write down their thoughts when they came to see John. It's her hope that when John recovers, these thoughts and expressions can be put into book form. She wants the book to be available for sale with any and all proceeds going toward missions work. With her husband in the hospital, she made sure food (good food) was delivered to the church building during the funeral of one of our members.

At this Thanksgiving like many others, I will give thanks for my family, our health and our safety. I will be thankful for the love of God. This year however I will also give thanks for being allowed to know people like John and Montie. The great thing though is I know I won't be the only one thinking that way.