Gò0dNews on Service
Serving God by Serving Others
F
by Monica Gambrell
irst, an introduction. I am a 58 year-old woman
that call because we didn’t want to leave the comfort
who has lived in the Dalton, Georgia area since
of the nest. We counted the cost of following that
1969. I never even considered as a teenager that
calling, and it was high. Treasured friends and family
college was an option. We were poor. Very poor. At
members alike did their dead-level best to discourage
the age of 22 I married the most amazing man I had
our obedience. But we knew that whatever the cost,
ever known, Glenn “Bear” Gambrell. To say that I have
obedience is always worth it.
always been treated like a queen by him would be an understatement. He was a great partner and a great
There were many hurdles once we arrived in Bozeman. We were clearly in the refiner’s fire. Bear has always had a servant’s heart and never really complained about anything, but he had lost about 100 pounds over the course of the first three years here. After several nonproductive doctor visits he was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. It had metastasized to his lymph nodes, liver, and lungs already. Four months later he was in the arms of his Lord. The doctor told us that the cancer was around three years advanced. In other words, just about the time that
father to our five children. He sacrificed to ensure that
we accepted the call to come to Bozeman, the cancer
I got my college education. Just before our thirtieth
began ravaging him.
anniversary we decided to take part in a short-term
I have always been known to say that we should
mission trip to Bozeman, Montana. That was in June.
count the cost, but obedience is worth it. My whole
By August Bear had left Dalton to accept a position
concept around that topic has somewhat changed
with a company in Bozeman. Our daughter, Rebekah,
though. I was reminded in scripture (Matthew 8) that
and I joined him in September. We had originally
there are consequences when we count too closely. It
planned to live and die in Dalton. We love our friends
may cost us a relationship with God. Or for believers it
and family there. But we honestly felt like baby birds
may cost us a deeper fellowship with Him. Is it always
being pushed from the nest – our calling to Bozeman
worth the cost? Without a doubt. But mostly it isn’t
was clear, but we came dangerously close to ignoring
even worth counting.
30 // August 2020
