I have been taking the kids to a very very conservative baptist church for VBS this week. I could barely make it there yesterday, mostly using cruise control on the country roads. When I hobbled in with my cane, I said I wish I could help. The pastor’s wife found a special job for me that I could do. When her baby was tired, I got to hold him for his nap. He slept a good hour or so and that was a really big help to her so she could keep teaching. Then a 12 year old girl came up to me and said, “You have so much pain, but you never complain! I think that is a good attitude and example. Most people would be upset and they would complain.” I guess I never thought about it because I am always in pain. I figure I would be a broken record if I was forever complaining. That would be annoying. I just figure that it is my special gift from God. Why would I call pain a gift? Well, it is such a life long problem that it can only be given by God. It is a part of me now and for the rest of my days. How could something like this happen unless God allowed it. He allowed this for me so that I could understand suffering, joy, and mercy. Not that any of us wants to suffer, but in that suffering we are made strong. Not in body, but in spirit. It is never easy but my faith grows each day as I make it through each moment. And that faith can touch others like that little girl yesterday. It can be a living testimony of God’s grace and mercy that he shows to me. My joy overflows and I sometimes do not understand how I could be so joyful when so many things seem to set us back. I guess the joy is not in our circumstances like that of the non believers. They go from one fix to the next and never ever experience joy. It is foolishness to them that are wise. They see my pitiful situation and say, oh you poor thing. Oh no, not poor. I am full of joy and blessings. I never could see my glass half empty. I see a life full of gifts, full of blessings. I lack nothing in Christ. My cup is overflowing. I do not seek after worldly charms, only after the eternal. This life is so short, it is but a vapor. My hope is eternal. If the first time I can walk pain free is on streets of gold, that is just fine with me. That is all the more I will appreciate my eternal home. Until then, I will limp, but I will not let this beat me down. None of this will destroy my Joy.
Truth and Victory
Mind Blowing Story…Many of you stood with us when we asked for your support to protect our beautiful pure Lick