Jackie's Journey "Are You a Traumatized Citizen?"

I’ve been thinking about what it means to be an American citizen.  Just the title screams privilege and responsibility.  I was born an American citizen.  With it came all the parts that make this country so great.  To experience the privilege, its integrity must be preserved.  I have certain unalienable rights that come wrapped in responsibility. I have lived in a third world country and believe me, when I say, I am an American through and through, with pride of ownership!

  There is a description of another citizenship that I am a part of, that also, comes with privilege and responsibility.   I guess you could say I have dual-citizenship, like my daughter, Kim, who was born in Panama.  I was reading the responsibilities of that citizenship and those who “will live in the tent of the Lord” and “live on His holy hill”!  

 I’m no slacker, but this list in (Psalm 15 and Psalm 24:3-5) was an eye-opener, because it came with such promise!  The person who:

1.     Walks in integrity

2.     Works righteousness

3.     Speaks truth in his heart

4.     Does not slander with his tongue

5.     Does not do evil to his neighbor

6.     Does not take up a reproach against his friend

7.     Honors those who fear the Lord

8.     Swears to his own hurt and does not change

9.     Does not put out his money at interest

10.  Does not take a bribe against the innocent

 The promise for obedience is that

“he who does these things will NEVER be shaken!

 Sounds good to me!  In these days of world turmoil, we don’t need an earthquake to be shaken. There’s certainly enough going on around us, in just the unknowns, “to keep the pot stirred”!  

 This is a promise, given with love, provision and conditions…

I’m, earnestly, taking it seriously…

 How about you?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Amazing Exchange!"

I thought we were out of the woods with the opening of retail stores, restaurants, elementary schools, universities, etc.…  However, that was short-lived!  Again, we find ourselves subjected to closed churches and beaches, missed fireworks on the fourth of July and avoidance of social gatherings. Each restriction of our “old” life is compounded by our unwilling acceptance.  For me, the old normal was good enough…there is no need for a “new” normal.

 There is an interesting exchange in II Kings 6 between Elisha and his faithful servant.  In my opinion, prophets don’t “get a break” because they consistently cry out truth and no one wants to hear it!  So enraged by this prophet’s message, King Ben-hadad sent his soldiers by night to surround the town where the prophet ministered and the object was to kill Elisha and everyone in Dothan!  

 With so many depictions of this scenario currently on TV in mini-series, complete with swords and armor, it is not difficult to visualize this happening (not to forget...the riots in our streets!).  Elisha’s servant had risen early and gone out, only to become acutely aware of the overwhelming presence of horses and chariots swirling around the city.  He ran in fear to tell his master Elisha and ask, “Alas, my Lord, what shall we do?”

 Elisha, the hated prophet, simply stated,” Do not fear …for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Then, Elisha prayed and asked to the Lord to “open the eyes of his servant, so he could see.”  

See what??

This is the good part…

 “And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha!  I don’t know about you, but I am mighty glad for those chariots of fire, as I face life and the days ahead. 

  It gets better…

Elisha prayed to God, “Strike the people with blindness.”  And HE did!  And they never returned!

 It is easy to be blinded by the world and its false message.  The prophet Elisha led the way in exposing those of us who know God’s ways and follow Him, to the undeniable truth that “those who are with us are more than those who are with them”.

 Let’s ask God to… “Open our eyes”!

Little eyes are watching…

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Victim or Victor??"

Someone mentioned to me recently that the angels don’t read minds, but they do hear what we say and being “fellow servants” with us for doing God’s will, they listen for assignments that will glorify God, as we speak. Since I am a chatterbox and love words, I started thinking about what comes out of my mouth!  

 An example… How do I receive a complement?  A few days ago, a kind lady in Costco said, “I love your hair.” Now…a smile and simple “thank-you” is a polite and sane response.  However, that was NOT my response… I answered, “Oh, really? I appreciate that because the rain and humidity today has turned my hair into Raggedy Annie!”  Did I encourage this lady with my gratefulness? Not likely!  We can tame Shamu, the whale, but we can’t tame our own tongue!  

 “See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!  

And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity;

the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles

the entire body and sets on fire the course of our life…!” James 3

 Did you know that the tongue holds the power of life and death? Pro. 18: 21   Your words, your dreams and your thoughts have power to create conditions in your life.  What you speak about, you can bring about!

 If you keep saying you can’t stand another day of lockdown, you might find yourself in a much worse circumstance.

If you keep saying you can’t stand another day of homeschool and noisy kids, be careful what you wish for.

If you keep saying you can’t stand your body, your body can become sick.

If you keep saying you can’t stand your car, your car could be stolen or just stop operating.

If you keep saying you’re broke, guess what?  You’ll always be broke.

If you keep saying you can’t trust this person or that person, you will always find someone in your life to hurt and betray you.

If you keep saying you can’t find a job, you will remain unemployed.

If you keep saying you can’t find someone to love you or believe in you, your very thought will attract more experiences to confirm your beliefs.

If you keep talking about a divorce or break-up in a relationship, then you might end up with it.

 Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be positive and power packed with faith, hope, love and action!  Phil. 4: 8

 We are not victims (unless we choose to be!); 

we are Victors!

 Watch your Thoughts…they become words.

Watch your Words…they become actions.

Watch your Actions…they become habits.

Watch your Habits…they become character.

Watch your Character…for it becomes your Destiny.

 Take Note:

Watch how your circumstances change when you change the way you speak.

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "As I Think...so Am I!"

This little lady-in-the-making is Olivia…her thoughts are being formed!

 “As a woman thinks in her heart so is she” encompasses the whole of our being and touches every condition and circumstance of our life.  We are literally what we think!  In the armory of thought we forge the weapons by which we make or break ourselves.  We women are looking for a way to control…well, here is a good one…take control of your thoughts!  Become the master of your thought life.

 Good thoughts never produce bad consequences; bad thoughts never produce good results.  “…a prudent woman gives thought to her steps.” Pro. 14:15  

 The mind is like a spring garden.  When cultivated and cared for or allowed to run wild with little thought or attention; either way… it will produce fruit.  Fruit that reproduces after like kind.  Olivia has a mommy whose thoughts produce good fruit and she is watching her mommy.

 What are the thoughts of your heart?

Selfishness, envy, jealousy, competitive spirit 

or service, love, joy, peace?

What fruit are you reproducing in the lives 

of your prince and princesses?

 Until our thoughts are linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment. Absence of purpose leaves the door wide open to fall prey to fear, worry, and self-pity, all of which lead to failure, unhappiness and loss.  Maintaining “thought-control” frees us “to think with purpose and hence, to enter the ranks of those who only recognize failure as one of the path-ways to attainment; who make all conditions serve them, and who think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully.” James Allen

  “…the Lord knows the thoughts of man.  For the Word of God… judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight”. Psa. 94: 11; Heb. 4:12

He knows our thoughts!

He judges our thoughts!

Are you hiding or making an attempt to?

 I don’t know about you, but my earnest prayer this morning is…

 “Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139: 23

Speaking of searching…oops! Book dropped! Csn you guess her thoughts now??

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "The Get-Closer Quiz"

It is looking like the beginning of an interesting spring and summer with our  welcoming our freedom again to move around, albeit, with modifications.  Nonetheless, the joy of stirring about, without restraint is long-awaited and timely.

 Looking for a summer activity or a late “lockdown” 

suggestion to do with your family?

  I have a few questions you could ask your children, if you want to have some fun while sitting at the beach or B-B-Q-ing in the back-yard. I have two daughters and seven grand-children.  Questions always bring the brain into action and tickle the funny bone when the environment is casual and trusting.  For example…

 1.     If you could trade lives with someone, who would it be?

2.     What is the most enjoyable thing our family has done in the past year?

3.     What is the most precious thing you own?

4.     Do you have a dream for the future that keeps popping up?  What is it?

5.     Name your three favorite movies or bible characters.

6.     Do you believe there is life on other planets?

7.     Do you believe in eternal life?  How do you see it?

Here are a few they could ask you:

1.     If you were going to describe me to a friend, what three adjectives would you use?

2.     What was the best present I ever gave you?

3.     What did you get into trouble for when you were a kid?

4.      What makes you cry?

5.     Who was your best friend in high school?

6.     How would you describe Dad (or Mom) when you first meet him (or her)?

7.     What do you think is the meaning of success?

Does your child easily talk about his/her emotions?  What about empathy for others?  Would you describe your prince or princess as optimistic and able to comfortably handle himself or herself well in a group of  his/her own age?  Have you talked about reasonable goals for your child’s age and some thoughts on how to reach those goals?  What about their ability to wait patiently and listen attentively?

 How do you see the need of your child?

 Questions help evaluate the trust your child has in you and increases their skill to verbalize their values, point of view and what is important to them.  Being transparent and honest opens the box for an entertaining and enjoyable time together. With social media so prevalent and time consuming…conversation has become a lost art!

Scoop that prince and princess up this week 

and find a moment to “face to face” communicate

and let them experience the preciousness of 

“real” interaction over the superficial!

 “I saw tomorrow look at me from little children’s eyes and thought…

how carefully we would speak if we were really wise.”

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Lockdown Lesson!"

I don’t know about you, but I am having a very profitable journey during these months of slowing my pace and listening more fervently.  I have had the opportunity to read a few books that I have wanted to pull off the shelf for years!  Time seems to turn to liquid when I am not scheduled by the hour.  I do miss the personal contact with others, but He has pulled me under his wing and decided I would listen and learn better “locked-down”. 

 A few observations…I have never realized that the angels are listening to the words I speak.  Acts 7: 53 says that the law was given by disposition of the angels.  “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.”  Hebrews 1: 13, 14  If I am an heir of salvation then they are here to minister for me!  Angels are our “fellow servants, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book.” Rev. 22: 8,9 

 Angels are listening to what I say, because what I say has a tremendous effect on what they do!  

 If you give voice (pray) to that word of promise, prayer for the lost or a God-given command, the angels are listening to what you say and they will hearken to your voice. This, of course, is conditional…if you are in total agreement with God and His will, then the angel’s assignment is to make sure that what you are saying from His Word is completed.       

 KEY:   When we Pray – we are seeking an answer; we do not need to rehearse the problem!  

Praying for the salvation of other’s is always in God’s will!

 “So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish

that which I please and it will prosper the thing where I sent it.” 

 Isa. 55:11

 Why we should pray biblically?

It’s important because:

 GOD’S DESIRE WILL LEAD TO OUR PURPOSE.

HIS PURPOSE WILL LEAD US TO HIS WILL.

HIS WILL LEAD US TO HIS WISDOM.

HIS WISDOM WILL LEAD US INTO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HIS ABUNDANT SUPPLY AND PROTECTION.

HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL FILL US WITH HIS SPIRIT AND KEEP US FROM THE DEPTH OF SIN AND RUINATION.

HIS SPIRIT WILL PRODUCE ALL OF THIS IN US AND ENABLE US TO PLEASE HIM.

 WHATEVER WE SOW…WE REAP!

LISTEN, MOM’S…PRAYING BIBLICALLY IS SOWING GOD’S PURPOSE 

INTO WHAT THE 

NEXT GENERATION WILL REAP! 

I! PETER 1: 3

BUT, YOU ASK…WHY DOES IT SEEM PRAYER IS SELDOM ANSWERED?

 WE WANT GOD TO CHANGE HIS DESIRES AND BLESS OURS!

WE WANT GOD TO CONSIDER OUR PURPOSE AND MAKE IT WORK!

WE WANT GOD TO BLESS OUR WILL!

WE WANT GOD TO USE OUR WORLDLY WISDOM!

WE WANT GOD TO GIVE UP HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR OUR SELFISHNESS!

 GOD REQUIRES AN INITIAL DENIAL OF SELF, DEATH DAILY TO SELFISH DESIRES AND A DETERMINATION TO FOLLOW THE INVISIBLE GOD. LUKE 9:23

 IF THIS IS NOT OUR DAILY PRACTICE 

THEN THERE IS NO NEED TO PRAY 

FOR OUR DESIRES, WANTS AND LONGINGS.

 IT IS GOD’S RIGHT TO RULE OVER HIS PEOPLE AND HIS UNIVERSE!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "The Trials of Covid-19!"

Just the word “trial” is troublesome and challenging! When I think of the difficulties, sufferings, distresses, worries, anxieties that we are experiencing as a nation, in our homes, on the streets and globally, I am reminded that “afflictions are but the shadow of God’s wings.” George MacDonald “  God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty.” Peter Marshall

Why God Allows Trials? (to create a greater purpose for the benefit of others.)  Daniel of the Old Testament yielded what he could not change, to be free to be used in a dynamic way:

·      Saw his family killed in Jerusalem

·      Taken captive

·      Became a eunuch

·      Submitted his pain to God

Result:  He influenced two worldwide Empires!

 Responding to Trials:

 We benefit from them or we react to them and “lock down” emotionally with:

·      Impatience

·      Fretfulness

·      Why me? Attitudes

·      Complaining

·      Rebelliouness

·       Bitterness

 We benefit if we learn to respond to trials with:

 ACCEPTANCE WITH JOY

AND THANKSGIVING = GROWTH/MATURITY

 There are Three basic Biblical Principles regarding Trials:

Ø  Trials are common; no one escapes unscathed 1 Cor. 10:13

Ø  Trials will pass I Peter 1: 6

Ø  Trials are lessons NOT to be wasted!  James 1:4 (Let endurance come to accomplish His greater purpose) Remember the biblical account of Joseph, the treasurer of Egypt?

 The Purpose of Trials

§  The pressure of trials produces faith 

§  The pressure of trials produces patience 

§  The pressure of trials produces maturity

§  The pressure of Trials produces wisdom

 How can Trials be faced with JOY?

1.     We trust God’s sovereign plan.  Rom. 8:28

2.      We know God will never give a trial too big. 1 Cor. 10:13 God carries us       with His grace.

3.     We anticipate the Eternal benefit.  Rom. 8:18; 11 Cor. 4:17

4.     We know the Holy Spirit will help us. Rom. 8: 26 The Holy Spirit will comfort and carry us.

5.     We know testing will produce Godly qualities.  Job 23:10

 How are you dealing with the trials in your life?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Covid-19...Listen to the Heros!"

My husband was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne.   He doesn’t see heights. In the many jumps he made while in the Army, there was always the moment where he made the choice to walk through the door of fear and…jump!  I am no stranger to fear and the Covid-19 pandemic initially called to mind the fact that “I am no stranger to fear”.

 “Today many people are living in the bondage of fear.  In a recent study, a psychiatrist said that the greatest problems facing his patients was fear.  Afraid of Alzheimer’s, dementia, committing suicide, being alone, or afraid of heart disease, cancer, disaster, plague or death.  We are becoming a nation of fearful people.  Down through the centuries in times of trouble, temptation, trial, bereavement and crisis, God has brought courage to the hearts of those who love Him.  The Bible is crowded with assurances of God’s help and comfort in every kind of trouble which might cause fears to arise in the human heart.  Today the Christian can come to the Scriptures with full assurance that God is going to deliver the person who puts his trust and confidence in God.  Christians can look into the future with promise, hope and joy, and without fear, discouragement or despondency.”  Billy Graham

 I am not unfamiliar with fear.  However, God has faithfully proved Himself to me over and over, and my trust in His will for my life supersedes and replaces my fear with faith.  Early on in my Christian life I was forced to walk through the door of fear repeatedly, only to see it dissipate!  The statement that “God’s sovereignty and His control is either true or it’s not true.  If it’s not true, we’d better forget about God.  But if it is true and we accept God’s revelation of Himself, our faith enables us to enjoy and rest in the certainty of His providence”. Paul Little

 God’s plan and divine purpose is always wrapped in our acknowledging His walking with us through whatever it is we are facing.  He’s got it wired and it is for our best.  “This is sane, wholesome, practical, working faith: first, that it is a person’s business to do the will of God; second, that God takes on Himself the special care of that person; and third, therefore that person ought never to be afraid of anything.” George MacDonald

 We are living in a world in which God has the last word…

 “Do not fear, for I am with you; 

Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. 

 I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

 Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41: 10

“Strength and Dignity are her clothing,

And she has no fear of the future.”

Proverbs 31: 25

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "The Unpretentious Teapot!"

“Even a small star shines brightly in the dark!”

 For a multitude of years, sixty or more, I observed this small dark black porcelain teapot with tiny violets that rested on a shelf in my mother’s kitchen.  It was certainly from another time period and had been carefully used, over and over again, but not by my mother.  Mother didn’t drink tea…only coffee.  So, what was that teapot doing in Mom’s kitchen?  It did not look fragile, but had obviously been someone’s friend for many seasons. When my mother moved, over the years, the teapot always found a visible place in her new home.  

 What was it about that uninviting, black teapot that was so special?  The gold embellishment below the lid had faded.   It looked almost out of place sitting next to the bouquet of violets splashed onto sparkling white plates that had been imported from England. Coupled with the crystal goblets and silver place settings that Mom was using now, it looked out of place.  But…there it sat…year after year…like the rhythm of time…all alone, in plain view. 

My maternal Grandmother Olivia’s Teapot

 In contrast, my mother’s oldest daughter, after returning from the mission field, loved delicate English floral teapots, collar boxes, portrait plates…I collected them, with teacups and saucers!  They could be found in every room of the house!  Many carried a memory of a person, place or time in my life.  

 Why had I never asked about that one solitary very old teapot 

that was cherished by my mother??  Why did she only have one?

 One afternoon this shy teapot became a source of conversation.  Mom had purchased a new beautiful English teapot for me and amidst my profuse expression of gratefulness, I remembered the abandoned black teapot and I finally asked where it had come from.  

 She began by telling me how beautiful that teapot was!

 My mother was raised in rural Missouri during the Depression of 1929.  There were five little siblings and they all worked hard gathering eggs, raising and killing chickens to sell at market, milking cows, churning butter, picking apples to sell, canning fruits, pickles and vegetables that they had grown together to store in the cold cellar, etc. etc.…they laughed and played, as they worked. 

 My Mother would watch, as my grandmother Olivia never stopped moving from one task to another, as long as there was light.  She had treasured memories of her petite, energetic, industrious and exhausted mother.  Ollie, she was called, would pause for a few moments to fill that little homely teapot to steal a twinkling nanosecond, catching her breath, before jumping up again to grab the last semblance of light to finish the day’s activities.  She was, finally, forced to quit working as the sun set and head toward the house to get dinner for everyone! 

 Totally unaware, at that time, of the loving commitment and diligence her mother was exerting to care for their family, the diminutive teapot had come to represent the tremendous sacrifice her parents had made to see them vigilantly live through the Depression, when people were standing in food lines because of hunger, there was no work and families were falling apart all around her.

 Suddenly, that little “star” teapot began to shine brightly and she had taken on a whole new personality… indeed, she was beautiful!  She carried an important piece of my grandmother in her presence!  From then on, I excitedly took every opportunity to catch a glimpse of that priceless teapot, every chance I got!  

 One day, years later, my mother, who was in her 90’s then,

 asked if I would like to have “her”! 

 I could hardly contain myself...!

 This little unpretentious teapot is no longer alone on a shelf, 

but proudly displayed in my home with her story… 

A treasure that my Mother and Grandmother had cherished, 

as I do now… 

Never underestimate the value of a baffling mystery.

 Watch for surprising generational blessings…

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Surreptitious Scorpion!"

Before we arrived in Panama we had seen the handiwork of the Kuna Indians and were amazed at their beautiful Mola creations. They would take the jungle and its inhabitants and meticulously sew them into intricate three-layer tapestries.   We would soon discover the secrets of these pieces of art! 

Can you see the arthropods on this one?

A Typical Kuna Mola

When challenged for tribal missions the unknowns were the most difficult to adjust to…and the unknowns were many and continual.  Honestly, there were more unknowns in our jungle life than I could ever have imagined while stateside…and trust me, I thought my fear had covered everything conceivable in preparation for our missionary service!

 The word hope in the Bible is a term of certainty.  The Greek word translated “hope” in the New Testament is elpizo, which means, “to anticipate with confident expectation.”  Uncertainty and the unknown are bedfellows!  They helped develop my capacity to be a woman of hope and not despair.

 Arriving in the last frontier of Panama…the Darien Gap, I stepped over the threshold of our new home.  This dense jungle is said to be one of the last wild frontiers in the world!

 Had I not heard this before arriving??

 It was dark and wet.  The mud-packed floor was cold!  Ralph had poured one cement floor in the house and realized it was not a viable option to do more considering the number of weighty bags of cement that would have to be carried two days from Panama City by banana boat and, then, another day upriver by dugout to reach the shoreline of our village.

 Kim, our youngest daughter, was a nursing baby when we first arrived. As the months rapidly slipped away from us, we knew she would soon be crawling.  Anticipating his daughter’s first attempts, her Dad found woodcutters from Colombia to carve a wood floor from the jungle.

 He also brought in cats from Panama City to discourage the creepy crawlers, skittering mice, and flying bats in the house at night!  Kim loved the cats!  Right on cue, before the floor was finished, Kim began crawling and she was fast! She chased the cats and disappeared out of sight every chance she got!

Kim’s friends

One morning her little friends were circling our bed in a very agitated manner.  Kim was as excited as the cats and crawling right behind them!  Swiftly snatching her up into my arms, I caught a glimpse of something large moving under the bed!  I was hoping it was a bird that had lost its way…

  Not certain what had entered the house unaware, I instinctively picked up the biggest and heaviest object I had close at hand…Ralph’s size 14 Combat Boot!  With one fell swoop I smashed the largest scorpion I had ever seen.  Its crushed tail extended beyond the end of the boot!

Alertness is learning to foresee dangers and fully understand the consequences!  No problem here…I was on alert!

 This, of course, includes creepy crawlers but also being alert to the dangers of our words, actions, attitudes, and thoughts!  My thoughts could never have visualized all the variables that became my almost daily occurrence.  Being alert to what was taking place around me was a practice that became inherent in our jungle life.  

 Being watchful and prompt to meet danger or an emergency is the definition of alertness.  Learning to pay attention to the lessons God was teaching me through the experiences He was bringing my way were invaluable to my spiritual growth.  My anxiety, resistance and need to be “in control” often hindered His growing me up! 

How alert are you?

 Have those under your care experienced problems 

that should have been detected and corrected?

Are you aware of opportunities God gives you to witness 

and encourage others to grow spiritually?

What is the last problem you could have avoided 

by being alert to danger?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.