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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: WEAK (07/22/21)
The Mosaic of My Life
Every day we come face to face with different challenges. Some challenges we can handle easily others are out of our control. Some afflictions vanish in a short period of time others linger on for years. The adversity that lingers is a constant testing of our trust and faith.
Physically I have two challenges. The first is foot drop. Foot drop is the inability to lift my right foot causing it to scrap along the floor. The culprit is a pinched nerve in my back. I went to a number of physicians and they refused to operate. They believed there wasn’t much they could do to correct the situation. In addition to foot drop, I have peripheral neuropathy which is damage to the nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord. There is no cure for this only possible relief.
Over the years, I have tried various types of braces to help with the foot drop. As time went on my balance worsened. I started to use a cane to help stabilize my walking. About a year later, I was walking with a cane in each hand. When I go out for a walk, I look like a Norwegian cross-country skier.
One day my wife, Charlotte, said to me, “Honey, you should look into a walker. You are struggling walking.”
“A walker! That will never happen.”
Charlotte and I were out for a drive one day and we passed a medical store. “Lets go in and look at walkers. Just to look.” She said.
I agreed with the hope to show her I didn’t need a walker. The clerk showed us some samples and I chose one and started walking around the store. I was astounded in how much easier it was to walk. In three days, a state of the art walker was delivered to our home.
I continued to pray to God to heal me of these conditions and never received an answered. Then it occurred to me, maybe he did answer me and the answer was no or not now. Through this ordeal, I fell into the swamp of self-pity. Why me?
“Why not you?” Charlotte asked one day. “It could be part of God’s plan for you.”
That was something I didn’t want to hear.
My prayers did change. I was more diligent in asking God to reveal his plan to me. Soon, my thoughts were less on my afflictions and more on Jesus.
In two Corinthians 12 Paul writes about asking God three times to remove a thorn from Him. God answered Paul In Two Corinthians 12:9(NIV), But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
A few days later, out of nowhere, God blessed me again with his grace.
Charlotte was out of town and I ordered food from a local restaurant for curbside pickup. Reaching the restaurant, I discovered I left my phone home and I was unable to call the server to bring my food out to me. My canes were home but my walker was in the back of my SUV. Cautiously working my way to the walker, a customer leaving the restaurant asked if he could help. I explained my situation. He went into the store and brought my food to me. God showed me his grace is available anytime and any place.
God is constantly putting the mosaic pieces of my life in place. I do my best not to resist. Today, I consider my challenges as stepping stones to a deeper more loving relationship with God. His strength works through my weakness weaving my life into a pattern of good for his glory. God isn’t breaking me down; God is building me up.
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This article has been read 364 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Ruthie Alekseeva
07/31/21
I enjoyed reading what you wrote. It has a great message and is well written. There is just one typo (answered instead of answer). Organising your article into paragraphs would make it easier to read. Apart, from that, I couldn't see anything that would improve what you've written :)
Sue Botte 
08/01/21
I do not know if this is fiction, but through your afflictions God can reveal himself to others who needs to experience God. It might sound trivial, but only God knows the person’s heart, thoughts, and mind.

'Soon, my thoughts were less on my afflictions and more on Jesus.' The sentence I take home with me.
Thank you and keep writing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/02/21
This is an awesome story. Having dealt with chronic pain for over 30 years I could really relate. I don't think you need that first paragraph. You speak in general, using first person plural (we), but the story is Mosaic of MY Life. I think your story tells all of those points far better than that first paragraph. Your story is full of Hope and touched my heart and made me smile!
Bea Edwards 
08/04/21
You wrote a very encouraging piece of art as you wove pain into purpose and Glory.

Well done.
Mariane Holbrook
08/12/21
I could relate to your story. My husband has foot-drop,caused when he had a knee replacement and the surgeon hit a nerve by mistake. My husband falls a lot and has to wear a leg brace. I love the way you constructed your entry, showing your weakness but ultimately your strength as you relied more on the Lord Jesus and found peace. Very inspirational story. Kudos!