How about that? Posting daily is a challenge. I have had some technical issues and some lazy issues. But I won't beat myself up. Thanks to everyone for reading. Please continue to leave comments and e-mail me!
I ordered two eggs over medium with hash browns and he ordered a western burger with fries. It has been a long time since I have eaten at Denny's. I remembered quickly why I used to love eating at Denny's. I have this new love for eggs over medium. I used to gag at the thought of eating that yellow uncooked goo from an egg. But now, I just can't wait to get a piece of toast smothered with jelly and sop that yoke!
While sopping that goo, he (a loved one) said, "I really wish Jesus would intervene!" You see, my loved one has diabetes and it has taken it's toll on him. He's a double amputee, and his eyesight is badly damaged. He expressed his frustration over dinner about not being able to see. He said he would do anything to get his eyesight back. So right there I took some of the goo from the egg and put it over his eyes and said, "In the name of Jesus, open your eyes and see once again!" He opened his eyes, with that yellow goo dripping from his eyes and he shouted, "I once was almost blind, but now I can see!"
That's how I pictured it. That's what I wanted to happen. But instead of that happening, I just sat there sopping my egg and listening him all but in tears talking about his physical struggle. His physical struggles are apparent, but then he went into talking about his spiritual pain. He hasn't been to church in months. He doesn't know what to pray for. He doesn't know if he's praying the right prayer. How do I respond to that?
Now arises the temptation to say, have you read, "Ten keys to effective prayer," or "The Prayer of Jabez," or "The power of a praying husband," or "Too busy not to pray," or some other answer book on prayer or how to achieve spiritual breakthrough. And another temptation arises in me wanting to say, just have faith! You know, if you pray but don't believe that God is going to answer, it's not going to be answered.
When faced with the temptation to respond with a wise answer and say something "spiritual" I responded with... SILENCE! I just kept eating. In my mind, he wasn't asking for spiritual advice, he was asking for his eyesight and although he didn't come out and say it, he wanted his legs back. Was I to respond to him, that's ridiculous to wish for. God can save your soul, but getting your legs back is out of the question. As far as your eyes are concerned, you need to consult your physician. And then it hit me, why shouldn't he ask for his legs back and his sight back? Didn't the people who Jesus healed come asking for physical healing. not all, in fact the majority of those who came to Jesus came with a physical request primarily. Some experience spiritual healing as well but...
Oh I wish I was Jesus... I wish I could have touched my loved one and gave him the menu and said here, read it yourself. I wish I could have touched his thighs and set get up and walk! Oh I wish I was Jesus... I wish I was Jesus, because I would go into that poor family's home and touch there refrigerator and watch it fill up with steak and CHICKEN and fruit and milk. I would touch their furnace and they would have free heat! I wish I was Jesus so I could go to Children's hospital and touch all the sick kids and play a game of freeze tag in the park with them. I wish I was Jesus...
I only have this to go on, Jesus lives in me and maybe I don't have the power to affect nature, or sickness or death, but I have His love and compassion. And somehow, I have got to find a way to love my loved one with the physical disability and overwhelm him with all the love and compassion I have. That will include begging Jehovah to do the impossible. To give him his sight back and his legs back. I wish I was Jesus... No I wish I could be more like Jesus, who opened himself up to listen to God in all circumstances. What I can say at this point is that I am still listening. It took my new found love for the yellow goo that gave me a temporary reason to be silent and not respond so quickly with a prepared answer that would have done nothing to address the pain my loved one was in. I'm still listening and I am resolved to be faithful to God's voice in this.
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