Todd Rocket sent this photo of Jim and Derek who are now wheelchair buddies! It seems Jim tore his Achilles tendon while playing softball, and he is using this method of moving about. As a child I had surgery on my back and spend about 9 months in a body cast. During part of that time I used a wheelchair to move about. I couldn't stand it! There is something freeing about being able to move, but something so uncomfortably restrictive in having to use a chair with wheels for this purpose. Thankfully Jim has Derek to show him the ropes. We have Jesus to that for us too when we are in a bad time. He was tempted, suffered and died for us. He understands where we're at, all the time.
A wheelchair can be needed for a short while, or for a lifetime, and it doesn't compare to the cross. It is still an ugly reminder of how everyone and everything in this world is crying out for God to intervene again, and make this place we live in like He originally intended. When I hear of another earthquake, or see nature's fury tear apart lives, I know we are getting closer to Jesus coming back. When He does, we won't need wheelchair buddies anymore. In the meantime I thank God for Derek, Todd, Michael, Matt, Brenda, and Mark; and everyone who shows Jesus' love in being a buddy to us disabled folk who sometimes need help getting around in this life. By their example we see how very much we all need a hand.
