My Hands

I live 800 miles from my mother in Jackson, MS, but I think of her every day. As I “see” her in my mind, her hands often come into focus. At 85, the decades of arthritis have enlarged the joints in most of her fingers. Thankfully, this type of arthritis is without pain. Though gnarled, Sarah Loftin’s hands are beautiful to those who know what those hands have done.

As I was washing my hands last week, I noticed something. A joint on the index finger of my right hand seemed swollen. At first I thought it was a bug bite or injury, but then I discovered the truth. A knot is developing on that joint – a knot that looks very similar to the knots I have seen on my mother’s hands for the past forty years. Yes, I am beginning to get my mother’s hands. That’s a good thing.

My mother has done a good job of telling me that she loves me, and demonstrating that love in countless acts – mostly unseen and underappreciated by me. I hope that my lips and hands will live up to this model – a lifestyle that is based on the character and teaching of Jesus.

Wess Stafford, president of Compassion International, talks about the glorious day that he will run into the arms of Jesus. Wess imagines that Jesus will reach down to wipe away his tears of utter adoration, but he adds, “I pray that He also has to wipe the sweat off my brow.” Worship and witness.

I’m looking at my hands more and more these days. Someday, perhaps today, I believe that Jesus will ask me about my hands. Perhaps He will say, “What has your love for Me caused you to do for others?”

I’m hitting the road again soon. I’ll be meeting with church leaders and other Christ followers in places like Gulf Breeze, Jackson, Starkville, Memphis, Nashville, Birmingham, Atlanta, Thomasville and Tallahassee. Pray for me, and if I see you on one of these stops, ask me about my hands.

Encouragement File

Yesterday was interesting. I came upon a file folder that I started over thirty years ago  (This is a “real” file as opposed to a section of the hard-drive on my computer). I call this folder my Encouragement  File. As I began my ministry, some loving saint advised me to begin a file to hold the special notes and letters that people might send me over the years. The saint suggested that I should go back and read these notes from time to time, especially when I was in a “valley” – loneliness, depression, sadness, feelings of insignificance or other negative and destructive emotions. 

To some degree, I have heeded my friend’s advice. I created the file, and I occasionally put something new in it – a note from a friend, family member, or coworker that struck a deep chord in my heart. I am grey-headed so my file is pretty fat by this time. However, it has probably been over twenty-five years since I have looked at anything in the file. That won’t happen again.

Yesterday I was trying to remember a story about an old friend, and then I thought of my Encouragement File. Hoping that something in there would jog my memory, I began to read. Within minutes I was crying. A long letter from Howard, a guy that had been in my youth group in Memphis – now dead. Kind notes from people with whom I experienced Christian community in a small group. People that had prayed with me to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. People with whom I experienced weddings, births, deaths, baptisms, funerals, career changes, tragedies and victories. Correspondence from people of different races, nations, and tax brackets. Here’s part of a note from my Mom and Dad (1920-2008) in 1995: Twenty-five years ago you became a Christian. A new life began for you and the family. How thankful we all are for spiritual birth and Christian beginnings. God bless you as you continue His work. Although I grew up in a loving and religious family, I was the first Christ follower in our family. After my conversion in 1970, a wave of new life spread across our family… as part of a powerful movement of God in Jackson, MS.

Here’s the takeaway for me and you today. I need to visit my Encouragement File more often. You probably need to start one. But we both need to write someone this week – probably creating a new addition to their Encouragement File. Although the remembering, eulogizing and sharing after the death of a loved one is nice, how much better is it to celebrate the impact of one’s life before she or he goes onto Glory.

Back to School

If you are a parent, a grandparent, or a student (or if you ever fit into one of those categories) the words “back to school” are full of emotion and memories.

In my family, there is only one active student right now - sweet Meme (19). Our 3 grandkids are too young, and Ash and Jonathan have already passed that chapter of their lives. Meme is a sophmore at Mississippi State. This past week has been sorority ”rush,” but Meme came down with the flu along with two dozen KD sisters. Pray for her and them. 

There are over 150,000 Chinese “students” in the USA today (Mainland Chinese and family members that are involved in some type of academic or research program). Over the past week universities have started assimilating thousands of new international guests. ’Bama, for example, received over 80 new Chinese scholars.

Tonight Carolyn and I will have 30 or so Chinese at our home for a back - to - school party (University of Central FL). These international friends continue to shock us with their intelligence and kindness. Our relationship with these emerging leaders brings us encouragement about the future of China and the world. It will be an honor to have them in our home again. Pray that they will experience the type of love and hospitality that can only be explained by the existence of a loving and all-powerful God.

First Steps

After months of gentle nagging by loving family, staff and friends, I have agreed to join the blogosphere (the world of blogging). I’m not sure what a blog is supposed to be, but here is a general description of jamesloftin.com:

• Posts will be relatively short — less than 500 words.
• I will only occasionally include personal tidbits from the Loftin world – although my children and grandchildren will definitely appear in posts from time to time.
• I will include impressions, longings and questions about life as a Christ follower — How can we bring God glory by using our resources to make a difference in the world?
• I welcome comments, will read all responses and intend to respond within one week.

Wherever you are in your life journey, I am certain that you have something to teach me. I pray that my words encourage and challenge you. I pray that you laugh often, cry sometimes and are always moved toward living more faithfully in response to Jesus’ invitation.

I pray that my humble thoughts will cause you to pray for me, my family, and the ministry God has entrusted to us.

Ahh, my first steps in the world of blogging. You may now be thinking of old cliches like teaching old dogs new tricks or better late than never. True, but here I go.