Serving with a Humble Heart: Finding Strength in Sacrifice

Serving with a Humble Heart: Finding Strength in Sacrifice

Hey everyone,

As I'm sitting here in my room, taking a slight break from the whirlwind, overlooking the beautiful Cypress Swamp and the Red River here in Shreveport, Louisiana, I wanted to reach out. The sun rose at 6:27 AM today, and it won't set until 8:17 PM, giving us a long day. And what a day it's been!

First off, I want to sincerely apologize for the radio silence on the website lately. I know I haven't been posting as much as I'd like, and believe me, it's not for lack of trying or content! I've still been diligently writing offline, and I promise to get those updates posted as soon as humanly possible. The truth is, when you're a caregiver for a group of people, it's incredibly difficult to break away, even for a quick post. There just aren't enough hours in the day, and sometimes, the energy just isn't there after a long stretch of serving others.

Case in point: my morning today. Around midnight, Uncle Bill decided he needed breakfast and coffee. So, up I got, stumbled into the kitchen, and whipped up a meal for him. Just as I thought I might catch a few more hours of sleep, he declared we were cleaning the apartment, top to bottom. That meant most of my early morning hours were spent scrubbing, organizing, and hauling out trash.

It's moments like these that truly test your patience and commitment. You might feel drained, overlooked, or even a little resentful. But then, a quiet voice reminds me of the words of our Lord Jesus, a profound truth that resonates deeply in these challenging times: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45 ESV).

This scripture isn't just a nice sentiment; it's a powerful principle for life, especially for those of us in caregiving roles. Jesus, the Son of God, didn't come to demand service or to have His every whim catered to. Instead, He came to serve, to put the needs of others before His own, ultimately culminating in the ultimate act of self-sacrifice.

When I'm faced with a cranky old man who seems to think the world revolves around his demands, or when I'm exhausted from endless tasks, I try to lean into this truth. It's not always easy, and sometimes I fail spectacularly, grumbling under my breath. But the ideal of serving, of putting someone else's comfort or need above my own desire for rest or personal time, is what keeps me going. It reminds me that there's a higher purpose to these seemingly mundane, often frustrating, tasks. There's a profound spiritual benefit to humble service, even when it feels thankless.

Every cup of coffee I make, every dish I wash, every floor I scrub, can be an act of worship, an imitation of Christ's own life. It transforms the tedious into the sacred. It helps me remember that true greatness isn't found in being served, but in serving, even when it means sacrificing my own immediate desires. It's in those moments of selflessness that character is forged and compassion is deepened.

So, while I might be physically tired, my spirit finds renewal in knowing I'm following a divine example. I'm still very much working on getting more posts up, and I'm thrilled to share that I'm making progress on the following exciting projects:

What's Coming Next!

Tiger Force Shadow Saga: Continuing to develop the campaign about soldiers involved in the Vietnam War and later in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, including their children.

The World of Zimarala: Diving deeper into the lore of Zimarala, especially after the ether dragons helped evacuate troll world through their multiverse portals.

Cosmic Apocalypse Unleashed: More on my concept of creating, controlling, and eventually exploding or imploding a cosmic apocalypse.

Tygerian Isles Nocturnis City Neo-Noir: Building out this thrilling campaign setting with all its dark alleys, hidden agendas, and shadowy figures.

Leo Galaxy with the Cosmic Adventures of Captain Hedges: Prepare for epic journeys across the stars, delving into uncharted systems and encountering unknown species.

Your patience and understanding mean the world to me. I might not be able to be on at all this week, but please have a blessed time, everyone. Keep an eye out for those updates and thank you for being on this journey with me.

In Noctirnis City we also have a heat advisory for the area so i am staying inside today.

Yours for now,

Captain Hedges