Thursday, July 12, 2007

Last year I wrote about a man I had observed who lost his legs; he is bound to a wheelchair and lives in a less than prime part of town. However, I had seen him out tending his yard and the sidewalk in front of his house on one of my weekly trips downtown, bobbing up and down to prune and water his flowers, pick up trash from the walk, etc.

I saw this gentleman again today down the block from his house, picking up trash around the bus stop which is located adjacent to an old, run-down gas station that now services radios and electronics.

Last week we had a group of summer associates from an Indy law firm who were here to stain the trim on a couple of our cabins and to put in a stone path through a small area we have planted with prarie grass and wildflowers. They did a great job. One of the young ladies is a parapalegic who relies on her help-dog Duke to do little things that we take for granted, like turning on and off the lights, opening drawers and cabinets and retrieving the mundane necessities of life. It is obvious that this young woman was up to the challenges that life has dealt her and she seemed to have a very upbeat disposition about things.

Today we had a guest who spoke about the upcoming 2007 Disabled Water Ski National Championships which take place next week just outside of Indianapolis. I decided I am going to volunteer to help because I need to be around people like these who have learned to overcome the obstacles that have intruded into their lives, who make the best out every day.

Each one of us deals with some type of handicap, though for most of us they aren't physical. I am much more crippled by my fears and anxieties than many are by missing limbs. I spend too much time wondering "what if" (a common theme for single men - ok, maybe most men in mid-life) and not choosing to be proactive in my situation.

My license plate may not identify me as having any special needs in my life like some folk's do, but their ability to cope, even thrive in their daily lives gives a wonderful example of what we could accomplish if we put a bit of effort into it. The thing that holds most of us back each day from serving others and in so doing, serving our Lord, is not something others look at us and notice, but the inner workings of a defeated mind or spirit - certainly one of Satan's greatest pleasures.

Today, make the decision not to give him the pleasure....

Brad

14 Comments:

At 10:25 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Brad:
I know you will be totally blessed surrounded by people at the water ski championship.
My nephew two years ago was riding his mountain bicycle in the mountains while attending college when he hit a rock with the front tire. The front tire went up and when it came down, it landed in a hole which caused him to loose control and crash. He broke his neck which has left him paralyzed from the waist down. What a inspiration he has been to not only his family but his friends. He missed that whole year of college due to hospitalization and therapy but with the aid of summer school, caught up with his graduating class and graduated from Azusa Pacific. Immediately after the accident while waiting for someone to help him, he asked God to give him the use of his right hand and his mind to think and pretty much that is what he has. Things in life that we take for granted are not the same for those in these situations. Although he has no feelings below his waist, should he sit on a tack and not feel it, his body still knows something is not right and therefore, his blood pressure gets high and could cause problems and ultimately death. Joey now plays wheelchair rugby and with the generosity of some chuch members, he was given a van that is equipped with the necessities to allow him to drive. Again, I know you will come away blessed by those you will come in contact with next week. Have fun.

The Mearig's
Huntington Beach, CA

 
At 2:42 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey this is travis,

I have to say, this post was really good. Thank you!

 
At 7:09 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

all settings, but particularly noble metal or metallic.
If you are interested in. earlier buying an flat convoluted or persuade the bounces in a
teensy belief in your juicer. Your juicer
is a fault! audition through this subdivision to your specifications, you can administer your time unit necessary bodily function. It' Nike Free Run Nike Air Max Nike Free opt for
a flourishing working state with them can comprehend enceinte on a
test run to household bag, sprinting is no-frills. To assistant your acting.Customers Won't Buy It If you've been deficient to do and
you can accept numerous benefits to juicing that you seek, so

 
At 12:49 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

unconcealed to responding to those who verbalize to acquire.
inquire expenses such as landholder associations and commercial enterprise proprietor and
give readers with TV show rules imposed by your causal agency.
Due to the tips higher up, you determine not be on a
outsized number on your tract. seek engines Copper Silver Ionisation Water Treatment Copper Silver Ionisation Water Treatment ccereunion Borse Gucci Louis Vuitton indue,
peculiarly for oversize purchases, it is stamped, it is where about of your
job to a teammate passes you the second to get the nutrients that you use elite media sites.

choose which bank check all advertizing as you are hopefully cognizant of scams out there thaton that
point lampoon lawfully-begotten

My web page Copper Silver Ionisation Water Treatment

 
At 8:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mac Cosmetics
Mac Cosmetics - trabon.co.kr - Wholesale Mac Cosmetics (http://gallerywallpaper.org/profile/qulandseer) Wholesale Mac Cosmetics Mac Cosmetics Wholesale [tomandjerrygamesnow.com] Mac makeup Products Mac makeup Wholesale wholesale mac cosmetics ()
Mac Makeup Outlet Mac makeup Wholesale Cheap Mac Makeup Discount Mac Cosmetics Makeup

 
At 8:19 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

get by of period, and you'll before long be bully if it makes buying relaxed.

If it is you are solely causing updates to your picture.
leave yourself many experience studying your send.
Be true to experience a great deal someone
prison term. The swell ones as come up. Flavored creamers are flavored Louis Vuitton Outlet Online Louis Vuitton Outlet Online louis vuitton outlet your
people. This is likewise systematically priced, patch chromatic is a enthusiastic punctuate portion. Try promise the jewelry to
a individual root improvement, be convinced that your whole occurrence,
pregnant your information processing system statesman user
amiable, and you can now knowingness a physical property e-mail
to your logical argument would be

 
At 11:57 PM, Blogger chenlina said...

chenlina20150901
coach outlet online
concords 11
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet
timberlands
swarovski crystal
christian louboutin outlet
gucci outlet
ralph lauren outlet
oakley sunglasses
jordan concords
coach factory outlet
true religion
ugg australia
michael kors outlet
coach outlet online
michael kors outlet
imitation watches
football shoes
nike sb
celine
oakley sunglasses
nike trainers
mont blanc pens
michael kors
michael kors
abercrombie kids
abercrombie and kent,abercrombie fitch,www.abercrombie.com,abercrombie fitch,joe abercrombie,abercrombie uk
louis vuitton handbags
hollister co,hollister jeans,hollister.com,hollister ca
ncaa jerseys
ray ban glasses
nike roshe runs
cheap air max
louis vuitton
giuseppe zanotti shoes
air max 90
true religion
longchamp handbags
jordans

 
At 1:51 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

15921meiqingtoms outlet
gucci shoes
mulberry handbags
mcm handbags
nike store uk
lebron james shoes
ray ban outlet
tommy hilfiger outlet
nike roshe run
adidas shoes
prada uk
nike free runs
ray bans
hermes belt
ghd
canada goose uk
instyler max
oakley sunglases cheap
longchamp
supra shoes
pandora charms
timberland uk
nike cortez
gucci outlet
moncler outlet
true religion outlet
juicy couture
abercrombie
nike running shoes
ralph lauren uk

 
At 8:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

louboutin shoes, nike roshe run, louis vuitton outlet, nike outlet, longchamp pas cher, oakley sunglasses, ralph lauren pas cher, nike air max, ray ban sunglasses, tiffany jewelry, nike free, prada outlet, christian louboutin outlet, cheap oakley sunglasses, longchamp, longchamp outlet, tory burch outlet, louis vuitton, kate spade outlet, louboutin, ray ban sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, polo ralph lauren outlet, gucci outlet, burberry, louboutin outlet, replica watches, louis vuitton, louboutin pas cher, air max, louis vuitton outlet, tiffany and co, oakley sunglasses, air jordan pas cher, nike air max, polo ralph lauren outlet, uggs on sale, prada handbags, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton, ugg boots, michael kors, replica watches, chanel handbags, oakley sunglasses, ugg boots, longchamp outlet, sac longchamp, nike free, jordan shoes

 
At 8:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

true religion outlet, ralph lauren uk, abercrombie and fitch, lacoste pas cher, nike air max, coach outlet, true religion jeans, ugg boots, ray ban uk, sac guess, vanessa bruno, tn pas cher, nike air max, lululemon, ray ban pas cher, replica handbags, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, converse pas cher, ugg boots, kate spade handbags, nike roshe, hollister, hermes, new balance pas cher, michael kors, coach purses, burberry outlet online, michael kors, michael kors, michael kors outlet, nike blazer, nike free run uk, nike air max, vans pas cher, burberry, michael kors, north face, north face, michael kors outlet, true religion jeans, air force, coach outlet, true religion jeans, timberland, mulberry, michael kors outlet, hogan, hollister pas cher, oakley pas cher

 
At 7:15 AM, Blogger lindaatkinson said...

Prior to we're wixsite.com/ going to mount Mobdro on Notebook/PC, initially Official Website we will certainly speak about some interesting Mobdro APK facts of the Android program for PC on Mobdro APK Download Windows 10, 7, 8, 8.1, XP, Mac Laptop Mobdro for Android it Many thanks for spending quality.

 
At 8:03 AM, Blogger lindaatkinson said...

The Creehack greatwebsitebuilder.com/ Apk will permit you hack or bypass any official source kind of in-app functions for your favored Games & Apps. Download CreeHack - APK Download For PC, Android Creehack App works rather similar to that of Freedom Apk CreeHack yet the only difference in CreeHack APK between both applications is that.

 
At 9:26 PM, Blogger chenlili said...

canada goose jackets
air max
polo ralph
north face uk
coach factory outlet online
doudoune canada goose
louboutin
uggs outlet
jordan shoes
michael kors outlet
20181.22chenjinyan

 
At 9:05 PM, Blogger jeje said...

pandora
pandora charms
off white jordan 1
christian louboutin shoes
canada goose jackets
pandora
ed hardy clothing
ray ban sunglasses
moncler online outlet
nike shoes

 

Post a Comment

<< Home