Me: How are you Prodigal?
Prodigal: With my friend.
Me: I don’t know your friend?
Prodigal: He’s all broth and no beans type .
Me: Well let me tell you about someone else.
This comes from the book Rx for Worry A Thankful Heart by James P. Gills, M.D.
The life of Dr. Earl Arnett Seamands (1891-1984), long-time missionary in South India, beautifully illustrates the power of serving others. In 1919, he left a successful career as an engineer and moved his family to India to serve as missionaries there. Living in a third world country during the early part of the twentieth century was a daunting task. They earned a meager one hundred dollars a month and endured a tremendous cultural shock. Not only were they without important items like a piano and a car, they were also forced to live without running water or indoor plumbing. Unable to make the difficult adjustment to this primitive lifestyle, Mrs. Seamands complained loudly and incessantly. So negative was the atmosphere she created in her home and for those around her that, surprisingly, even some of Mr. Seamand’s Christian colleagues suggested to him that he would do well to divorce her.
But this godly man’s patient response to their suggestion was, “I can divorce her as you suggest, but that would not be what the Lord would want me to do. I can separate myself from her and her complaining and continue to live the life I want to live, or, I can constantly pray for her and become an intercessor for her rather than being her accuser.” In this attitude of humility, he decided to intercede for his wife and assist her rather than destroy their marriage. Dr. Seamands surmounted the challenges of life through this difficult time and became a stronger servant of God. As he continued to pray for his wife, she began to change positively and became more tolerant of their challenging lifestyle. As a result, their family was blessed with two sons who have distinguished themselves in Christian ministry as well.
James 3:7-9
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
