I have the honor of helping this week with a guest blog. My son Timothy is on this whirlwind mission trip called the World Race where there will be miracles, healings, people coming to Christ and lives changed – all in third world countries where they need the touch of God! I know this is a grand and probably a bit unrealistic view of what really is a lot more difficult and heart wrenching than the dreams I see in my mind.
Let me start by giving you my unbiased view of the young man who is Timothy. Timothy is named after his Dad and Grandpa. His name means “honoring God”, from the Greek Timotheos, literally “honoring God,” from time “honor, respect” + theos “god”. I have prayed throughout his life that he would “fit” this name, that he would live a life that honors God just as the companion of Paul did.
Timothy was born on a fall day in October as was a beautiful, tow-headed, smart, independent little guy. From day one he didn’t need help with anything, he just did it. He was always so busy with trucks and imaginary games that he didn’t say a whole lot for the first few years of life but his older sister Julie Marie interpreted for him anyway so he didn’t really have to talk. I prayed that he would honor God as he went from toddlerhood into boyhood.
After his younger sister was born he found an instant playmate and since he was on the smaller side many people thought he and Megan were twins. He taught Megan how to ride a bike (ie. he told her to get on the bike and gaver her a shove!), assured us many times he wanted to be a dinosaur scientist and once went up into the mountains just to pick up trash. Again, I prayed that he would honor God as he grew into and through adolescence.
Toward the end of high school, at a time when I wasn’t sure what direction God was leading Timothy into, he came home and said definitively he was going to school for Airframe and Powerplant and it would take 18 months and “only” cost $36,000. He became a successful airplane mechanic. I prayed for God’s direction and blessing as Timothy took steps into adulthood and that he would always honor God.
Once Aria, his niece was born he showed how much he cared for her by visiting whenever he could and spending one-on-one time with her. Aria loves him unconditionally and he would do anything for her including take her shopping, although it would probably be for hiking boots or camping gear. I prayed that one day God would send him a beautiful, God fearing, Jesus loving, Spirit filled, young woman with whom he would honor God and have a life and family of his own.
All of his life so far has led him to these moments. It was no surprise when he came home from a visit with his cousin Anna in Australia with the notion that God wanted him to do more, to reach out to others, to show them who Jesus is. God showed Timothy that the World Race was where He wanted him to be. When he went to train he came back with an excitement I’ve never seen before. I prayed that God would guide and direct him through this entire experience.
I am so thankful for what God is doing in Timothy’s life! I pray continually for him; for joy, peace, love, wisdom, and many other things as well as that he would be God’s light to the people he comes in contact with. I know the World Race has had moments of good and moments of difficulty and it is not all miracles and salvations, sometimes it is the planting of a seed, a word of kindness, the smile of a Jesus filled sinner who just wants someone else to know the Truth that will be remembered at a later moment. I pray for Timothy to honor God as he speaks to others about Him.
If I had to put it together, I see Timothy as an independent, soft-hearted, loving, determined, God honoring kind of guy. He said a verse he wants to live by is Isaiah 6:8, Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” I also want him to remember this verse, 18 Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. 19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. 1 Timothy 1:16
Thank you to everyone who is helping this beautiful mission by donating funds and especially prayer toward Timothy’s mission as I know that through this you all are honoring God as well! I pray for Timothy and all the the people on this crazy trip who are the salt and light for the Lord, may you honor God in all you do, go be a blessing, pray always, love as Jesus did and honor God!
