February is a busy month. My wife’s birthday, Valentines Day, our aniversary, the birth of our youngest son and oldest son who recently died. The good things in life are mixed with the bad. However, we know that we give Him thanks in all things. God is in charge.
Let’s talk about the good. The best man at my wedding was an amazing man named, Ron. He was not handsome and was older than me. He had been one of my prayer partners for over 10 years at the time. He was in his 60’s and had never been a best man at a wedding. He had cerebral palsy and mostly used an electric wheelchair to get around. He had a huge speech impediment but that would not stop him from telling funny, funny old jokes. He would come up with a belly laugh himself before the punch line and even though we had heard his joke a thousand times. It was his delivery that made us all laugh. I will spare you some examples. Nonetheless, he was an intelligent prayerful man. He had graduated college in the 1950″s before citizens with disabilities in History and Writing and worked for years as an editor of a small industrial magazine. He was very active in his Lutheran Church.
Ron told the story of as a young man he went to some Pentecostal Church and the people at this church laid hands on him and prayed to cure him of his deformities . When it didn’t work they suggested that it was partly because of ” his” lack of faith. The truth is that Ron did not lack faith. He was perfect just as he was. He had no teeth and I would sometimes had to feed him at gatherings. This was not a pleasant experience for me but he was a friend. Ron knew that it wasn’t his lack of faith but the fact that others didn’t see the perfection in him. God saw the perfection that others did not.
And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.They were exceedingly astonished and they said He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.
What struck me about this passage was not the fact of the miracle but the people’s reation to it. They did all this dispite the fact that Jesus had said not to proclaim it. How many times in my life have I not done what Jesus commanded of me? Still being human we cannot stop proclaiming the glory of God in our lives. It is natural and perfect. God was showing us that we are the miracle in our live and the lives of others.
When we look at ourselves and others, stop looking at the imperfections. Think about how perfect they are in God’s eyes. However, don’t forget yourself and see how perfect you are in God’s eyes. If we are made in His image, then the miracle is us.
So today may we all praise God for the perfection He has given us and others.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please pray for victims and caregivers of Cancer patients. They are perfect.
