Passenger #6---A Neighbor

Passenger #6 – A Neighbor

Someone on board the journey qualifies as a wonderful neighbor.  They are the best of the best.  Yes, God made us in His image and some have pursued that to the max.  This guy is truly a caring person who goes out of his way to serve others whether it is a family member, neighbor, co-worker, friend, or stranger. 

This guy lives the Christian message of putting others before self, so much so that he is sometimes criticized for doing too much for others.  He is the guy who can fix anything, will move your daughter into her apartment for the third time, loan his truck to a neighbor so the grandkids can stand in the back end and have better viewing at a parade site.  He is constantly giving of himself and wonders why he seems to still have a long to-do list. 

Wouldn’t we all wish to have this kind of neighbor?  Unfortunately, many of us never really see or talk to our neighbors.  We possibly don’t know their names.  It is a sign of the times, but not a sign of God’s times.  God wants us to know the value of caring for others and being of service.  Sometimes the only way we can take a crash course in Service is to have this kind of neighbor as our teacher.  If you meet this guy on the journey, watch him closely.  Make mental notes of how he chats with everyone and exudes kindness.  If you aren’t sure---check when you get off the bus at night.  He’ll be the one unloading everyone’s luggage just because it is the right thing to do.  I know this guy very well; I hope you have the chance to meet him.

Guiding Questions for comments: (Feel free to share anything of comfort each day)

1.       Have you ever been blessed with this kind of neighbor?  If so, take some time to recall some acts of kindness and then say a prayer of thanksgiving for the goodness that was shared with you.

 

2.       Think of those who live near you and even those not so near who need help sometimes.  How can you make small steps toward serving that person/family in the future?  Ask God to guide you in your service to others.  Your rewards will ALWAYS be greater than the work you did for someone else.

 

 

Meet Passenger #5- A Friend

Passenger #5 - A Friend

It is a part of God’s plan for us to have friendship with others.  Some of us like many friends and others prefer a few closer friends.  Your preference probably matches something within your personality.

If we research “friend” on the computer, there would be some insightful information about different types of friends and how to build and maintain important friendships in life.  If we study Scripture, there are words of wisdom to guide the nurturing of strong friendships.  In current times, “friends” has been a freely used term that can represent various levels of connectivity among those we call friends. 

When I think of strong friendships, I think of words such as caring, dependable, honest, trusting, and blessing.  Good friends are concerned about each other and will go the extra mile to be a support for someone, especially in a time of need.  In other words----that person is always there for you even when it cannot be physical.  They are there to give you reassurance and strength regardless of your need.

Passenger #5 is one of those treasures!  Think about someone in your life who could easily be that passenger on the journey.  Have you let that person know how much you appreciate the gift of his/her friendship?  This might be a great time to do that!  Hopefully this passenger on the journey will be a new angel for someone in need as our passengers learn about one another.

Guiding Questions for comments: (Feel free to share anything of comfort each day)

1.       Reflect on some of you close friendships, note what you value the most, and find the right time and way to thank God for placing that person in your life. 

2.       Some people would be so grateful to have a friend to truly enjoy.  Do you know someone who might fit that description?  Are you a candidate for that task?  Ask God to reveal His wishes to you and pray for someone to receive the wonderful gift of a true friend.

Meet Passenger #4

Passenger #4 – A Parent

Oh, yes.  We do have a parent aboard---probably quite a few.  But this parent expects perfection from her/his children.  Hopefully you are not one of those perfection parents, but you might know one.  If you have ever been a teacher, coach, or administrator---you are thinking of quite a few examples!!!  

This parent is always worried that the lovely children he/she has will not be “at the top” of virtually everything.  It is an exhausting way to carry out your calling as a parent, but somehow, it continues to be that person’s driving force.  Unfortunately, it sets the child up for failure and frustration since no one can really live up to such high expectations consistently.  The question becomes one of who is really living this life?  Often, such perfectionist parents were either perfectionist victims (you know---a generational pattern) or that parent is living out unfulfilled dreams from their own past.  Either way, it is miserable.

While such a well-meaning parent wants to encourage their child, it is “over the top” and unrealistic.  Such unhealthy pressure leads to other issues in life and the generational trend continues

Hopefully on this journey, Passenger #4 will see the way to love their child unconditionally like the Lord loves each of us.  That is all any child really needs or desires.  It is time to set this parent and child free to celebrate their unique creation by God.  Maybe the Driver will have a suggestion.

Guiding Questions for comments: (Feel free to share anything of comfort each day)

1.       Surely you know at least one person who shares this struggle.  What can you do to help this person to seek God’s guidance?

2.       Somehow, this passenger needs a message from the Driver.  What Scriptural words of wisdom might be shared to free this person of perfectionism?

Meet Passenger #3

Passenger #3 – A Spouse

I will give you a hint---she/he is a very attractive person who will appear to be busy and occupied.  She/he leads a full social life and career---not to mention—wants to be Super Mom/Dad.  It seems like she/he never stops but enjoys all of the limelight and recognition that comes along.  Yes, this person does it all and has it all.  By human standards, they could be the All American Poster Couple---no, the names are not Ken and Barbie---but could be! 

 

If we could take a microscope into the depths of Passenger #3’s heart and soul, we would find some clogged arteries that need attention.  The busyness is a way of masking some things from the past, especially a time in life that is filled with regrets.  No, the other spouse does not seem to know.  But our passenger knows and cannot forgive or forget.  The busyness, popularity, and social interaction are all forms of temporary healing, but the clogging remains a problem.  Of course, our passenger could not possibly include this secret in the bio!

What our friend might not realize, we all have events from the past that we regret.  They cannot be undone or zapped, but our loving God waits patiently for us to admit those events to him and ask for His forgiveness.  His blessing is what will be the healing potion for this condition.  Yes, this could involve some intervention from the Driver!  Remember though, he is waiting for the invitation. 

Guiding Questions for comments: (Feel free to share anything of comfort each day)

1. 1.       Can you imagine that someone you know and care for could have the same pain in life?  It’s not important for us to know such details, but it is important to know that our behaviors might be masks for times of regret.  Before we criticize or judge, just know that there is always something we don’t know about another person.   

1. 2.       Challenge yourself to write a few thoughts to this passenger on your own Divine Message Card.  It will be good practice for when you return home and need to be encouraging to someone else.

Notes about the Driver

 Notes about the Driver

As stated earlier, the Driver is God’s special messenger.  Of the parts of the Holy Trinity, we seem to lack understanding of the Holy Spirit and what his work is all about…..or let’s say….at least we know him “on the surface” but are not sure he really checks on each of us.  Thus, God sent him to spend this important time on the journey.  Hopefully, when we return home, our doubts will have changed.
  
The Driver was given an itinerary and some specific goals for the trip: 
 

• ·         Watch and listen to all of the passengers.

• ·         Design the activities on the trip to build a deeper appreciation for My Creation---people, places, prayer---we    call those the three Ps.

• ·         Gather the group together for meals for it is in breaking bread together that we can become more intimate in our understanding of others. 

• ·         Every evening have a prayer time where people share what they enjoyed about the day and ask questions they might have.  Be sure to connect the value of building community as My Son did in His human journey.  It helps the group to know they are valued by others.

• ·         Always remind them that they were created with a specific purpose in their earthly life as they prepare for their eternal life.  It’s not just about now.

• ·         Hand-out Divine message cards each morning.  You know who the passengers are and what messages they need to receive each day on the journey.  It might be as simple as “Do not be afraid.”

• ·         Be sure the passengers know that you welcome time with them.  They just need to invite you.