James Arness and John Wayne

My father, who retired after twenty years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps (Semper Fi!), once played cards with a certain actor, or so the story goes. He came away from the game with a pocket full of cash ... and the actor's hat. Yep. I grew up with James Arness' hat in the hall closet. As an adult, I do realize that it might have just been a really good story my dad constructed over time; but even so, being the adoring daughter of Officer Dad, I bought it. To the point that I paid attention when the owner of that hat passed away this week at the age of 88.

At first, I simply found myself wishing I'd had my dad for 20+ extra years, that he'd lived to the ripe old age of 88. But despite the fact that none of the newscasters made a single mention of the treasured hat Arness once lost to a handsome, charming Marine, I did find myself paying attention to the other stories about Arness' life.

A while back, I posted a blog about the importance of those people who play the Barnabas role in our lives. I received some awesome emails about the post, people telling me about their own Barnabas experiences or about how they played the role themselves at one time or another. So when the news stories this week spoke of a very special Barnabas in Arness' life, I paid attention.

Arness played some meaty supporting roles over the years as he started his career, and John Wayne was a frequent leading man. The two of them became eventual friends. So when Wayne was offered the role of Marshall Matt Dillon in a new show called Gunsmoke, he could have simply declined. Instead, he told the producers that there was a young actor under contract by the name of Jim Arness. Even though Arness was relatively unknown by the TV-viewing public, Wayne thought perhaps Arness might be a perfect fit for the part. And to cement the deal,figuring America was much more likely to give the newcomer a chance if they heard it from someone they already knew and admired, movie star John Wayne put his own clout on the line to film an opening for the new show wherein he told America why they should watch.

I love that story! Especially because it came out of Hollywood, a world with which I am well acquainted. Not a lot of Barnabas activity going on in Hollywood, folks. Sorry if that bursts any bubbles. But isn't John Wayne's behavior a perfect example of the kind of Barnabas we're all supposed to be to the Pauls around us? I know that's what I want to be. So let's pray together...

Lord Jesus, we praise and thank You for the Barnabases you place in our lives; those folks who unselfishly offer up their own clout ... or money ... or time ... to support us in our ministries. We ask that You would anoint each one of us now, Lord, so that we can pay that forward. Show us how we can support someone else when there is no benefit to our own lives, no reward that we get out of it. Show us how to lift others up for no other reason than to help, encourage or edify them in Your name. Amen.