Look God...New Legs!

Have you ever noticed that when we are struggling the most with what is on our plate that God may be blessing us the most?

There is a very special boy in my life. His name is Elijah Ramirez. Eli was born with what most people would say were insurmountable obstacles. Most recently, this included the amputation of both feet and the straightening of his legs in preparation for him to walk using prosthetics. (Get his full story at http://prayforeli.blogspot.com). In the blog entries since his leg straightening surgery his parents have written about the painful process for Eli in the physical sense but also the pain in their hearts every time their little boy says, “don’t hurt me” because his legs were so tender that even changing his diaper or picking him up caused him pain.

I’ll continue Eli’s story in a minute. How many times have we encountered life-changing events that have caused us pain? Have you, as I have, asked God why He would allow you to hurt so much? Have you cried out in your weakness, “don’t hurt me Daddy!”? In the last few months I have encountered some challenges in my life. Obstacles that seemed to put me at a standstill. How could I go on? Every time the phone rang I was afraid of the news it would bring. Sorrow after sorrow, frustration after frustration. But is has also been a learning time for me.

In a recent blog entry from Elijah’s mother, she said that Eli has recently become aware of his “new” legs. Recently, when his mom came home from work, he yelled across the room to her, “look at my new legs!” What a statement. Here his mother stands, having watched him daily deal with the physical pain of his surgeries as she and her husband deal with the emotional pain of even having to put their baby through this, when he exclaims, “look at my new legs!” Doesn’t he remember the pain? Don’t his parents? Elijah’s perspective caught me off-guard. This three-year-old has taught me more in three years about facing trials than I could have ever learned without him.

Do we not do that to God? He allows us to deal with pain. Not because He is “out to get us” but because He loves us. Then we make it through and exclaim to God, “look at my new legs!” Did God not agonize over the pain you had to endure? Did He not walk beside you, staying up all hours into the night when you were crying? Yes He did. And yet, we act as though our healing, our newness, our wholeness is a surprise to Him. Though it often surprises us, it will never surprise God. However, He (like Eli’s mom and dad) will rejoice with us over our new-found excitement and joy over our “new legs.”

As I write this, Eli is in Shreveport, Louisiana beginning the slow and painful process of learning to walk using prosthetics. How he does it, I’ll never know. But I know this, Eli will walk, and Eli (a child of three years) will continue to teach me (an adult of 29 years) how to look at life through the perspective of courage and endurance through every trial. I may not praise God at the beginning of each trial, but I eventually get through my stubborn, adult head that God is beside me, loving me, holding me and agonizing with me in the valley. Then He is rejoicing, celebrating, and laughing with me on the mountain top. We are so fortunate to have a God that doesn’t make sarcastic comments when we announce “our new legs” but instead, sweeps us into a hug of Holy proportions and exclaims, “Yes, and your new legs are beautiful!”

Love Deeply

Today is the holiday with which card, candy, and flower companies make a killing on something that will tomorrow be sold at 75% off and a profit will still be made. Yes, I am speaking of the business-created holiday of Valentine’s Day. Now, some of you will automatically assume that I am cynical and bitter. I may be a little cynical at times, but I am not bitter.

I have a heart near to bursting with love. It is simply a different type of love than what one shares with their significant other or spouse. My love is deep for my family, my friends, and most importantly, my Savior. Today I looked at pictures of my precious little cousins Eli and Sophia (http://prayforeli.blogspot.com) and my heart just grows with love for them every time I see them. I spent the day with my brother, who came home for the weekend from Ft. Bragg, and as we said goodbye I wanted to tell him over and over how much I love him. My parents are always there to support and love me and theirs is a love I could never deserve nor repay.

Love comes in many colors. Today, my color of choice was black. Not because I’m a hater of Valentine’s Day, but because I think it is silly to wear pink or red just because it is a “romantic” holiday. Tomorrow, I have no idea what I’ll wear, but once again, it won’t be dictated by a holiday, but by the weather. J When I think about love I see colors like green, blues, purples, and yellows. For some reason I never see reds or pinks. Call me crazy, but love is so much more than one day.

I grew up watching the best example of love anyone could have. My parents. My parents, after 36 years of marriage, still hold hands when they walk in public. They go away for special weekends. They may not buy flowers and candy for each other, but they cook for one another, kiss each other, and re-affirm each other through their words and actions. That is true love. That is love that can’t be summarized in a singing card or fit into a box of chocolate. That is enduring and endearing.

However, the most enduring love we will ever have is that of Jesus. He loved me before I knew Him. He loved me even though I tried to run from Him. I know that He loves me more than any human ever could and He will continue to love me even if everyone else stops loving me. He has given me a new lease on life, a new perspective on joy and a new understanding of love. No matter who I spend my Valentine’s Day with in the future, I know the true, everlasting love is the one who lifted me out of the miry pit and loves me still.

May you experience God’s love in abundance!