In My Heart Forever (Part 2)

A number of years ago, I was involved with a musical production entitled: "1856" The Musical. It was written by a dear friend, Cory Ellsworth. The theme was centered on the last of the handcart companies in 1856 to leave for the Salt Lake valley. The companies had left late in the season and were caught up in an early winter. There was much suffering as they encountered bad weather, food shortages, sickness, frostbite and much privation. Many died along the way and were buried in shallow graves. In the ending scenes of the musical, rescuers arrive bringing much needed food and support. Before that happens, there is a poignant scene where two women, dear friends, sing of the help they are sure will come. Although they look forward to a physical rescue, their faith leads them to sing of the spiritual rescue that Jesus Christ offers to all of us.

A rescue awaits us though the journey may be long, 

and if we bear it patiently in faith and prayer and song. 

With angels 'round about us leading gently, safely home, 

then Christ, our Lord, will welcome us and call our souls his own.

 

This painting by Clark Kelly Price depicts the many accounts of receiving divine help during the winter of 1856.

This past week, we have been involved in a rescue operation, if you will, helping Ukrainian refugees as they have fled their homeland to escape possible death and injury, leaving behind everything that is dear to them. From the outside, it appears that we have provided food, shelter, transportation and medical care. To be sure, we were the hands and feet, but as the words from the song above suggests, there have been angels about us. Some of them were individuals with certain talents, gifts and resources that suddenly show up at the most critical time to enable a family to get the help they need or to travel to a place of refuge. After being helped, a family sent this message.

"God sent us to you, you are our saviors! We are very pleased to meet you? Thank you very much for everything! . . . We will pray for you and your families, we will always remember the helping hand you extended to us. We thank God for meeting you. . ."

These hardy souls from Ukraine may forget the faces of those who rescued them, but they will never forget how they felt as they were embraced and loved so graciously in these harsh and most trying of circumstances. 

Our helpers in the kitchen

Making potato soup 

Filling stomachs and souls

The act of extending oneself to the need of someone who can never repay you, is a Christ-like virtue. However, in the grand scheme of how love and kindness work, both the receiver and the giver are blessed.  In the end, we all need rescuing. If not from a war or from danger, but also from the wages of sin, or self-centeredness, from guilt, shame, fear, loneliness, and ultimately pride. 

A rescue awaits all of us. And until that day comes, Ukraine and her people will be in my heart forever.