Update:
By Tuesday, my right foot felt better so I ventured out on two
legs. My first errand was to the medical
supply store to see if they had a foldable cane that would work for me. My doctor had approved me riding my
motorcycle but I couldn’t figure out anyway to attach my cane or carry it along
without it interfering with my controls.
So I purchased a folding cane that I can put in my saddlebags. It’s really no good to ride the motorcycle if
I can’t get off and walk anywhere once I arrive. I wonder how I can load my wheelchair up on
my motorcycle in case I want to use that?
(Just teasing!). I’ve yet to get
on the bike. I am waiting for my
schedule, the weather, and my foot to all work together. Hopefully by this weekend I can take a few minutes
to drive around town to practice shifting with my prosthetic leg before I
venture out farther.
I popped into the prosthetic lab to talk with them about the clicking
noise I have when I walk. My pin is not
fully engaging in the locking mechanism.
I’m safely locked in, it just won’t fully seat, so every step I make a
squeaky-clicking noise. It’s more of an embarrassing
nuisance; I certainly can’t sneak up on anybody right now. We have tried one spacer added to the pin;
then we tried two spacers—neither option worked. So now the prosthetist is ordering a
half-sized spacer that is more like squishy rubber to try. So until that comes in, if you listen for me you’ll
hear me coming.
In the afternoon, I attended a funeral for an Eau Claire firefighter
who died. I went along with firefighters
from my department. My department also
supplied an engine and a crew to cover for Eau Claire Fire so that more of
their personnel could attend the funeral. During
the service, all uniformed personnel walk by the deceased’ remains as means of
honoring the deceased firefighter. As
chaplain for the Altoona department, I have a uniform, so I joined in this silent
procession. I was really wishing that my
trip to the Prosthetic Lab had fixed my noise problem before we walked through. I was a bit embarrassed by my noisy leg; but what
could I do? The funeral was a moving
tribute to the firefighter who served the city for sixteen years. May God grant
peace and comfort to her grieving spouse.
The funeral concluded just a short while prior to the evening’s fire
training, so I was able to talk to a number of the firefighters from my
department and spend some time with them during training.
My right foot was fine throughout the day and the evening. I did quite a bit of standing and walking but
the pain that I had last weekend never returned. When I got tired I did find a place to sit
down or to perch. Today, (Wednesday) I
plan on taking it easy during the day. I
have a busy evening and night ahead, so I don’t want to overdo it.
Thought for the Day:
In my devotional bible time, I am currently reading from the book of
Acts, the account of the early church just after Jesus’ resurrection. In the first seven chapters, it details how
great miracles are taking place, the Apostles are preaching with boldness, and
large numbers of people are coming to faith causing the church to grow by leaps
and bounds. And then in the midst of
this prosperous time, persecution arises.
Stephen becomes the first recorded person who is killed because of his
faith in Jesus. His death opens the
floodgates for persecution to sweep across the newly formed religion.
Acts 8:3 “But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering
house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.” (ESV)
It really struck me what a
vast change occurred in a short time.
Prior to Stephen’s death, those who later became known as Christians
enjoyed the people’s favor. Many Jewish
priests were coming to faith. Miracles
of healing happened frequently. It had
to be a joyous time and a wonderful movement to be a part of--until persecution
arose. I know from church history that
this persecution caused all those in Jerusalem to scatter throughout the world to
escape. This spread the gospel message
outward beyond the walls of Jerusalem and the borders of Israel. In a sterile environment, that sounds like a
wonderful thing to happen.
But try explaining that to
Stephen’s family. Attempt to point that
out to the people thrown in jail.
Explain that to those who left behind their homes, their friends, and
their former lives as they fled throughout the region. Just imagine the panic that would sweep
through as people realized that instead of being celebrities they were suddenly
considered criminals. Nothing had
changed except the perception of people and their desire to eradicate this
fledgling faith. From happiness and
contentment to horror and terror in a heartbeat. Innocent lives being torn apart. Freedom and rights stripped away because of
their new-found religious beliefs.
In our minds, we normally
equate following God and living a blessed, peaceful, prosperous existence. But unfortunately, much of church history has
proven just the opposite. Often people
seeking to follow God closely are persecuted, killed, injured, imprisoned, or
suffer loss. We think in terms of immediate
benefit for believing; but God looks at the long range goal and eternal aspects.
All this is to say that
perhaps you are going through a rough patch and things are not going well for
you. You thought things would be easier
for you because you are a Christian or because of your faith; but that is not
what you are personally experiencing. Perhaps you may be wondering if it’s worth
living a life of faith if this is what you get in return. The words of scripture should encourage you
to look beyond your own personal, immediate benefit and remember that God has a
plan. That plan includes you; but God’s
highest priority is not your personal comfort and happiness in this life. He’s got something far greater and more
wonderful planned for eternity.
So when things go sour in
this world, as they inevitably will, don’t lose heart. Don’t lose faith. Keep on believing. Keep on trusting. Keep on doing what you know to be right. You might not see any reward or benefit to it
now. You might even feel like you are
losing ground by continuing to believe; but remember that this is only a
temporary setback and doesn’t change the truth about God’s planned future.
Jeremiah 29:11 “’For I
know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (NIV)
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