Three Cheers For Seeker

Several years ago I received a phone call from a young man from Brazil.

No, he was not calling long-distance; he was at Jacksonville International Airport changing planes on his way from Rio to someplace north.

He identified himself as an engineer. He said he’d been in his dentist’s office in Rio de Janeiro waiting for his appointment when he picked up a magazine which was two or three years old. It contained an article which I had written.

When he learned that he would be changing flights in Jacksonville, he made a point of looking up my phone number to call and say how much reading that article had helped him with a spiritual struggle he was facing.

That feedback certainly gave me a lift.

Because so few of my books sell, I often feel as though I’m typing on air when I write. I wonder if anybody anywhere ever reads my stuff and I get discouraged.

Well, yesterday Seeker, a blogger from Illinois, gave me another such lift.

You never know who or what you will find on the Iternet.

Last Friday my son Donald send me this link to a site in Brazil: http://jorgebll.blogspot.com/2007/10/tome-sobre-si-sua-cruz-e-siga-me-mat.html

I mentioned this site in my journal noting that I had no idea what the intriguing cartoon panels, which are written in Portuguese, say.

Other than that young engineer from the airport, I don’t think I’ve ever in my life encountered anyone familiar with Portuguese.

The electric ink on my blog posting was hardly dry before my e-friend Seeker, the lady who is always posting pictures of her cute grandkids, e-mailed me saying she speaks Portuguese and offering to translate the cartoon strip for me.

How kind!

Isn’t wonderful to find such talented friends online, people you are unlikely to even see in real life but who form a caring community in the electric world?

Seeker’s blog address is http://www.thefirsthundred.blogspot.com/

Here is a copy of her translation.

John, this is the translation of the first paragraph of that cartoon. (I haven't spoken Portuguese in a long time, but it's still easy to read.)

We all have a cross,
But God knows that we can carry it…
So don’t think that yours Is too heavy,
Because it has a reason in the end (after all)

The guy tells God his cross is too heavy and asks Him to lighten it.
Then he cuts a piece off by himself.
He asks God to make it even smaller and it would be easier to carry.
Then he cuts off some more by himself.
Then he thanks God, and continues on his way.
The rest of the story is understood by the pictures, I think.
Makes a good impact, don't you think?

Here's the rest of the translation:

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
There will always be sun after the rain.
Maybe you will trip and even fall,

But God is always ready to answer your call...

He knows all your worries, sees all your tears.
One word from His lips can calm your heart...
Your sorrows may last the night,
But quickly disappear in the morning light...

The Savior is waiting for you, to give you His grace,
And send you His love...
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, "
God will always send the rainbow after the rain..."
God bless you!!! Even through treacherous nights...

If your cross is heavy...
God will be with you.
The world may even make you cry,
But God wants you smiling!

Thank you, Seeker!