The Legs of a Man
His delight is not in the strength of the
horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the LORD takes pleasure in those who
fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.—
Psalms 147:10-11
As most of you know, I have a neurological
condition that has put a hitch in my get-along. I'm learning to live with
it—more or less.
I started using a cane a couple of years
ago. Now I use a three-wheel walker when I'm out and about. [I also have an
"off-road" walker for rugged terrain.] No doubt, I'll be in a
wheelchair before long and Carolyn be pushing me around. (Please, no remarks
from my friends about retributive justice.)
I came across a George MacDonald story a
few months back, that encouraged me greatly. Perhaps it will encourage you as
well.
“I shall get rid
of my lameness there (in Heaven), Margaret, shall I not?” said Euphra, one day,
half playfully.
“Yes, dear.” “It
will be delightful to walk again without pain. Perhaps you will not get rid of
it all at once, though.”
“Why do you think
so?” asked Euphra, with some appearance of uneasiness.
“Because, if it
is taken from you before you are quite willing to have it as long as God
pleases, by and by you will not be able to rest, till you have asked for it
back again, that you may bear it for his sake.”
“I am willing,
Margaret, I am willing. Only one can’t like it, you know.”
“I know that,”
answered Margaret. She spoke no more, and Margaret heard her weeping gently.
Half an hour had passed away, when she looked up, and said:
“Margaret, dear,
I begin to like my lameness, I think.”
“Why, dear?”
“Why, just
because God made it, and bade me bear it. May I not think it is a mark on me
from his hand?”
“Yes, I think
so.”
“Why do you think
it came to me?"
“To walk back to
Him with, my dear.”
—George
MacDonald, David Elginbrod, Ch 22.
David Roper
1.26.17
