Greatest in the only kingdom that matters

Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.

We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others.

We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

- 2 Corinthians 6:10

Lydia was the first person I wanted to see after stepping off the plane to Changsha. In her hospital room I finally got to look into her eyes and touch her. 

A drunk driver struck Lydia in daylight as she was on her way home from work. She was thrown through the air, broke three ribs and punctured a lung. Remarkably, there was no injury to her head. The driver attempted to flee but somehow two younger female witnesses were able to keep him there.

The driver's family was forced to assume financial responsibility for the surgeries -- not the government, as I was told earlier. It took the family a couple days to pull the money together, delaying Lydia's surgery, because Chinese hospitals require prior payment. Lydia said she was in severe pain while waiting. The driver's wife stayed in the hospital with Lydia each day, feeding her and performing basic care, because hospitals do not freely offer these services. I esteem the driver's wife (pictured below) for doing a very good job caring for Lydia, and expressed that to her. She herself has two older children and her own health problems. 

Lydia's roommates in the thoracic surgery ward included two young women and a middle-aged man who had been injured in a brawl, plus all their visiting family members. Nothing is private in this setting; everyone talks openly, shares stories, advice and food.

Lydia whispered in my ear that she wanted to share with these folks all that the Father had done in her lifetime, and his message of hope for the broken. Her voice was too small and too weak, so I helped her speak. Everyone engaged, especially the driver's wife. It was the first time anyone had heard. Lydia would not have her suffering to be in vain, but for Father's glory.

Lydia was discharged from the hospital this week, returning to the Welfare Institute where she has a degree of support: her disabled roommate can offer limited assistance, a network of friends can accompany her during evenings and weekends. Even with this she is still in need of a regular, able caregiver. Awhile ago Drew and I decided that we were going to regard both Lydia and Wang Zhao as family members, taking appropriate responsibility for their needs. We are pleased to hire friends who work for a Christian service organization to care for Lydia M-F as long as she needs help. Lydia appreciates the spiritual care and fellowship that these girls can uniquely offer. In our introduction meeting we bowed together and the three of us healthy-bodied women were astounded, humbled, weeping as we listened to Lydia's feeble voice express joy and trust from the heart.

On my WeChat (Chinese microblog) I posted about how highly I esteem Lydia. She is a model, an example. I have learned much from her. She has become one of my best friends.

Don't fall for the illusion that Lydia is poor, broken, weak, insignificant, powerless, forgotten. 

No. 

She is the greatest in the only kingdom that matters.

"Blessed Are the Poor" was inspired by Lydia and other friends like her.

counting the graces today

thank you Father for

Drew's lingering hug and affirming words in the morning

Mike's kisses, "I just love giving kisses" and a couple hours just with him

porridge for an upset stomach

catching up with ZT, and a long discussion on ethnic identity and relations, racism in China and US

peace when the day doesn't go as scheduled

toilet unplugged

walking from errand to event in a gentle drizzle

Race &  The Christian by Piper and Keller