When It’s Inconvenient to Serve
By Hank Dmochowski
Do all things without grumbling or complaining…
- Philippians 2:14
When I retired from the Postal Service in 2016, Pastors Dave and Mark asked me to take on a greater role in congregational care, which includes connecting with people who are sick or facing serious life events. This meant (among other responsibilities) hospital visits, going to senior care facilities, etc. I considered it an honor to represent the pastors and serve God's people.
On the weekend before Christmas, a grandmother left a voicemail at the church office asking for someone to go and pray for her newborn grandson who was in the hospital and having seizures. Since the church office is closed on weekends, the receptionist called me on December 23. The mother of the child did not attend Foothills, however, the grandmother did – as well as the mother’s sister.
This could not have come at a more inconvenient time. The Christmas holiday was just a few days away, and I had several deadlines I had to meet in addition to family and ministry commitments.
I called the mother, introduced myself, and told her that I would come down and pray for her and her baby. We made arrangements, and I prepared to go. However, shortly before I left my home in El Cajon, she texted me and said that the NICU at Mary Birch was going to be closed for “some reason” between 1pm and 2:30, and she asked if I could come after that. I told her “of course.” I secretly realized that this hospital visit had the potential to require a bit more time than my schedule permitted. There was the potential for running into rush hour traffic on the way home, let alone the additional traffic from holiday shoppers heading to Mission Valley.
Nevertheless, I climbed into my car and headed out to Mary Birch.
Once inside Mary Birch I was led to the baby’s bed in NICU where I met mom and little John (not his real name). I quickly learned that he was born at 36 weeks and had been experiencing seizures, breathing difficulties, and difficulty eating. While I visited the NICU nurse was trying to get the little guy to eat a few ounces of food without him falling asleep. It was slow going.
Suddenly it hit me why I was there. As the parent of a developmentally disabled child (my son Josh has Down Syndrome) I was uniquely prepared for a “time such as this.” Josh too had been born at 36 weeks. I could relate to the challenge she faced feeding her newborn. As an infant, my son Josh required feedings every two hours. Often, Josh would fall asleep when being fed and sometimes it would take 2 hours to get him to drink just 2 ounces of milk, and then we would have to start all over again. Like this lady's newborn, Josh spent much of the early days of his life in NICU (19 days). Plus there was all the messaging we got from the doctors on what to expect in the future – all the potential health and developmental challenges. Much like this mother faced now.
It was then that I was reminded about the faithfulness of God in Josh’s life; how even though he did have health issues as an infant and as a child the Lord was good to Josh and brought him, and us, through the different challenges. Both Vicki and I realized over the years that the Lord trusted us with Josh, and He was there to help us through each challenge. Looking back we saw that Josh (who is 40 now) has been a joy in our lives and in the lives of many others, has modeled love to those he comes in contact with, and also has a wonderful heart to serve God and His people. As an example, he serves faithfully in the Friendship class at Foothills (a ministry to developmentally disabled adults), assembles the church bulletins weekly, and even helps me meet and greet visitors.
As my visit continued I sensed the presence of the Lord, and I began to pray blessing over this young child’s life; that the purposes and plans for his life would be fulfilled, and for quick and complete healing to be released over his life. I used this opportunity to encourage this young mother that God is good and that regardless of what the future holds for her son that “she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her" (Phil 4:13).
When I was done, I promised her that I would follow up, and I told her to reach out if she needed anything.
As I drove home I began to imagine; what would have happened if I had made a choice not to go and visit? What if I had refused this assignment? What if I missed an opportunity to be His hands and feet?
As I headed home, I made a commitment to the Lord that I would do my best, with His power, to approach each and every assignment He places before me without grumbling or complaining. Each time that I am presented with an opportunity to serve, I will remind myself of this time and will thank the Lord for the honor of representing Him and ministering to His family. I will remind myself that I am doing it for Him (Col. 3:23; 1 Cor. 10:31).
I want to encourage you to do the same. Each of us have been uniquely equipped with certain gifts and have had life experiences that prepare us for when the Lord sends us on an assignment. When the Lord gives you an assignment, especially when it’s “inconvenient,” be slow to grumble and complain. Rather, ask Him what His purposes in this assignment are, how can you partner with Him, how can you be His hands and feet, and how can you bring glory to Him. It will change your perspective.
(An update: The baby is home now. The breathing and feeding issues have departed, and though he still has a long road ahead, he is healing wonderfully. In addition, his mom was at church Sunday with grandma. She plans to make Foothills her home church.)
