Once again, not one of those weighty multiple-of-five years occasions. While solemn, neither somber nor maudlin. After church, will gather later with Charm City daughter, SIL, two grands and my sister (a.k.a., our beloved Auntie S–) for a meal showcasing the Wheel of Wonder and @Jeff Mion’s Atlantacized crabcakes.
I was inspired and encouraged in the weeks leading to today by a friend marking 40 years as a quadriplegic. Celebrating, actually. He along with other valiant victors whose worlds have been rocked by trials far more severe, but who nonetheless press on and do the next thing continue to set a standard I hope to emulate. In their particular “captivities,” they rebuff despair, endeavour with herculean effort, and prosper, imperceptibly, maybe gradually — infusing those spaces they occupy in time with great dignity. I have a way to go. Chapeau to that worthy group.
Grateful for God’s mercy during a year that included shared medical turbulence (blood pressure challenges, abdominal surgery, and two hospitalizations), and the sudden loss of our aging van’s five lug nuts and their associated right front tire while doing 60. For seeing every day of the Tour de Frronze, For forty years of marriage. For the marriage of another son. For countless agents of mercy who, at varied moments, times and periods, in close and from afar, briefly and over the long haul, rehabilitatively, therapeutically, materially and relationally, have encouraged and helped me and my family.
At the top of this list I place the lovely and heroic Alice Heidel, my eight children, my four sons in law and two daughters in law (+1), my six grandsons and three granddaughters (+2), my sisters, Dianne Irving and Sue Heidel, Grandma Betty Marvin, and my Uncle Sonny and Aunt Chris. All others are in a tie for first, and newcomers will be next year.
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
Job 23:10 ESV
With full attribution and echoing my 40-years-a-quad friend:
“Thinking about life today, my biggest need is not figuring out how to continue to live with and overcome the physical effects of quadriplegia. Rather, my biggest need is spiritual: I am a sinner in great need of the Savior. So, most of all, I thank the Lord Jesus Christ who has indeed saved me by dying on the cross to bear the punishment of my sins. As a free gift and not due to any work of my own, He has given me faith to trust in Him. And through the work of the Holy Spirit, He continues to help me repent of my sins daily, dying to self while living unto Him. I truly look forward to the day when all those who belong to Christ will be with the Savior in heaven with new, incorruptible bodies. I would love all of you to come to know Him as I do.”
1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Life like this is still, if counter-intuitively, rich and worth living because of these trials, these provisions and blessings, and because of you all.
I am and remain profoundly thankful. Blessings to all of you this day!
WheeledWords 