Flying back from Bend to Alaska, I learned a lesson that was hard for me . But before I start to share I have to go back to June to give you a bit of background first.
Back in June I was in Israel, as many of you know, and I was out one night looking to buy some t-shirts. I walked into one shop & all I heard were people talking in the back. Soon this Arab guy came out holding, what to me was, the ugliest soccar jersey I'd ever seen, and was headed right towards me holding it up as if he wanted me to put it on. I started motioning "NO" with my hands and mouth to let him know I didn't want it. But right behind this Arab gentleman was this older white guy. He went on to ask me to model it for him cause his son was my size and he wanted to see if he could get this shirt for his boy.
Well after a short while I finished modeling the jersey for this guy and we got to talkin'. He was in Jerusalem with a youth group of high schoolers, to expose them to other cultures. I thought that was awesome. As time ran on he realized he needed to get going, but before he left he said one thing. "Geoff it was nice to meet you. And always remember that wherever you go, leave a fingerprint of your soul on every person you come in contact with." And then he walked away. I was blown away. I thought it was AMAZING!!! Now keep this in the back of your mind.
So the other day as this airplane started heading down the runway, I was hit with this revelation and I wrote it on my ticket. Frankly, because I had nothing else to write on.
Since I'd been home from YWAM, and left Bend, I'd always known I'd be going back to Bend. At least one more time. Well this was it. This was that last time. I now have no idea when I'll return. Did I count this as part of my cost? HONESTLY......NO! And I miss my friends & church family already.
I thought, there are a couple questions I still have to ask. Did I leave a fingerprint of my soul, my life, on the people I knew & came in contact with? Is that fingerprint a positive one? Did I say all in needed to say or should've said to those who needed to hear it? Was the last thing I said to each person an encouragement?
I have no idea when I'll be back to Bend. I have no idea when or if I'll see everyone here again. Did I make the most of every opportunity God put before me? HONESTLY........NO!!!!
But that's okay.......I'm still learning.
I hope this helps some of you. I hope it gets you thinking a bit. I love you all.
Geoff
LUKE 14:25-33
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
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