Hasn't Your Faith Been Shaken?

 As I meet people from all walks of life, especially those facing their own huge mountains, there is a question that seems to come up relatively frequently. This leads me to believe that this is perhaps a good topic to share about.
The question "Hasn't your faith been shaken?" ,or something quite similar, has come up often enough that it has caused me to step back and really examine the answer. In all honesty, I have to say that in the years since Ladd's career ending incident, rehab, recovery, re-injury and all that has gone with it; my faith has actually grown exponentially. This is not to say I never asked God why or got frustrated and overwhelmed. I have found; however, that when the crisis is SO big, it is somehow easier to turn it all over to God than when facing the small, every day crisis' that come with just living life.
Somehow, when there is no possible way for me to shoulder a huge burden on my own, I more easily ask for help than when I think I can handle it on my own. Truth is, God doesn't want me to just hand him the big stuff. He does want me to ask for His help though.
I have watched Him, felt Him, pick up the big stuff, and in so doing He touches so many little details that He proves beyond a doubt that He truly cares about me, my family and all of the details of our lives. When I spend regular time with Him, ask Him for help, and listen for answers, He picks me up, dusts me off, and sends me back into the game stronger and ready to play my best.
I suspect that is the same feeling that Ruth had when she and Naomi set out on their own, or that David had when he faced Goliath. With confidence that God has my back, I can face each day/giant without being consumed with worry and weighed down by burdens.
This is not to say I never find myself feeling overwhelmed or worried, but when I do it is most likely because I have let the world take up my time with God. When this happens, it's time for a good sit down, heart-to-heart, often tear filled, talk with God. It's amazing how that can be just the thing to renew my faith and restore my strength.


  

If All of Your Friends Were Going to Jump Off A Cliff...

We've all heard it and every parent has thought it... especially through those teenage years "If all of your friends were going to jump off a cliff, would you follow them?"
These aren't just your mother's words, or some tired cliché. They're actually good, sound biblical advice. Check out 1 Thessalonians 5:6 "So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled."
God is calling us, His children, to pay attention... to not blindly follow the lost/sleeping over the cliff... to think about our words and actions through His context and filter, not the world, not the media, not the popular crowd or latest trend.
As His children, we are "awake" to Satan's lies and deception, and through Him we have the self-control to step back from the edge and say "not me," "not now," not happening." Maybe - just maybe - when we step away from the cliff, a friend who is sleep walking will step away with us!
So, next time this cliché runs through your mind, think about it in this context... it's not just for teenagers!
 

Spiritual Warfare

How far have we come from the ability to see the big picture? Just like in the days of Elisha in 2 Kings 6:17, there is a very real battle going on all around us, every minute of the day and night. The battle is between God and His angles, and Satan and his demons. God is stronger and more powerful, and will eventually win the war. He's just giving us a chance to choose sides first.

Every time we ask God to step out of the battle, it is not so simple as Him merely stepping out. Satan moves in, just as an earthly enemy takes over and conquers ground not occupied by their foe. We should not be fooled into thinking we can ask God to back off and get out of the battle, and have that be the only result. When we ask God to move out, Satan moves in.

Would you join me in asking God to come back in and conquer the ground we have surrendered to Satan? God will conquer, whether we ask or not, when all have chosen their allegiance. I'm choosing to stand with God's army and would love to stand on the winning side with you.

When the Miracle is Letting Go

This is an awkward topic, but one that I have wrestled with frequently over the course of the last decade. It seems to be one that others have wrestled with as well, so I'm going out on a limb and writing about it. I do not mean to offend anyone. I only want to put it out there for thought, discussion and prayer... please know that my heart is with those who also wrestle with this issue... from either side of the issue, as I believe there is no clear answer this side of heaven... just perhaps different ways to look at a story that only a sovereign God who knows the entire story can possibly know.

We have found ourselves in hospitals, particularly ICU rooms, on numerous occasions throughout the last 10.5 years. During the course of these stays, our family has been blessed with some pretty incredible miracles. We have also sat in waiting rooms with amazing families who have lost a loved one at the very time when our loved one made a miraculous recovery. How do you cry with one family, yet rejoice for your own at the same time? How do you not feel burdened with guilt while bubbling over with excitement?

These questions have weighed heavy on my heart and bounced around in my head so often. I have prayed over them and desperately sought reason. The thing I keep coming back to is that God knows... and I can't possibly know, because I don't have the big picture.

Two truths give insight into this big picture though...

1) None of us are here forever, and we are all here for a time... some a long time, others a short time. We each have a calling and a purpose, and we will all eventually spend eternity in heaven or hell based on where we choose to put our faith here in this life. It is up to us to choose eternity in heaven with Jesus by accepting his loving gift of salvation through his death and resurrection; or to reject him, and reject heaven.

2) This world is full of sin, and bad things happen every day. We can cling to hope in spite of this, or we can get mired down in despair because of this.

With these truths in mind, and after seeing much suffering in those who have overcome one bad thing or another, I wonder... could it be possible that sometimes the miracle is in fact not that a person lives in spite of the odds, but that the person is carried home to rest with the Father instead of continuing to struggle on here on earth? Is it perhaps just as much a miracle that a good and faithful servant is allowed to move on to heaven as when they are restored to health? Is letting go sometimes the very miracle that we seek?

Since miracles are God's department, and there is nothing that is not in his control, who am I to say one miracle is better or more fitting than another, let alone define what is a miracle?

For the time at hand, I will take comfort in what I know, for I know that there is far more that I do not know or understand. I know that my days are numbered. I know that should today bring the need for a miracle, I'm leaving it up to God to know just what miracle I am in need of. I know, that should my miracle be that it is finally my time to move on to heaven, I'm ready. I know that God will take care of those left behind with miracles custom made for them... in the right place, at the right time, and for the right purpose.
 

Hectic Schedules and Disabilities

Oh how I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas! As we unwind and head into the new year, I know that many can relate to what has become a reality in our family… life with a family member who continues to suffer from severe disabilities, whether TBI, chronic pain or other limitations. This life requires planning and often forgoing some visiting and special gatherings and purposefully seeking (and hopefully finding) peaceful / quiet moments in between the rush.

It means sometimes disappointing friends and family and juggling responsibilities with what’s best.

It means pushing through, sometimes knowing that it could take days to catch up from the effects and weighing which experiences are worth the risk of setbacks.

It means not wanting your loved one to miss out, but realizing that there are times when it is better, in the big picture, to go on ahead without them.

It means aching inside because you're feeling helpless as your loved one struggles, and just wanting so bad to take away the pain and wiriness.

It means being so very thankful for wonderful kids who get it and actually like spending quiet time at home with mom and dad.

It means slowing down… which means time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for and for the gift God sent so many years ago… which truly is the reason for the season.

I pray that you too will find joy in the simple things and be filled with peace as you reflect on all that you have together – rather than anything missed, undone, or declined. May you have abundant joy and not let the burdens of this life overwhelm you. May you find rest and be encouraged in the fellowship of others who understand the road you travel. May the coming year be filled with blessings, smiles, love, and plenty of those quiet moments in between!

Desensitizing Ourselves to Violence

Like so many across the country, I am heartbroken over the tragedy in Connecticut as well as other acts of violence that have permeated our culture. I hear so much regarding the answer to the problem of violence in our country being more government regulation, ie: gun control, yet this idea of treating symptoms rather than problems just seems so backward and naive. One only needs look at history to realize that humans have been destroying humans since humanity began…long before guns were ever an issue.

The problem with our society is that evil exists and evil seeks to destroy. Looking through history, it seems obvious that as cultures desensitize themselves to violence and let immorality run loose, they fail. As cultures use violence for sport and entertainment, immorality and violence prevailed. The Babylonians and Romans with their lion dens and gladiator fights, Medieval knight competitions… people have glorified violence as sport and entertainment since the beginning of time. We continue that bent with movies, media and video games that are increasingly violent, all the while desensitizing this generation and teaching them to solve problems with violence.

History also is filled with examples of governments that have taken greater control of the populace, until finally there is revolt. Great civilizations have crumbled when their governments have sought to control, tax, enslave and make the population dependent on government.

We would do well to pay closer attention to the lessons of history as we are not above repeating it… again.

Gun control will not solve the problem of violence. A more forceful and controlling government will not solve the problem. A return to God, morality, and placing value on every human life is the only answer… for there will be evil in this world until Jesus returns and puts evil in its place forever.

The Hospital Part is the "Easy" Part

Sitting in the ICU waiting room 10+ years ago, anxiously waiting for news from the trauma surgeons and surrounded by friends, a very wise man told me... "Believe it or not, the hospital part is going to be the easy part." These words have come to mind almost daily throughout the course of the days and years to follow. At first, while still in the hospital, the thoughts were of disbelief... how could anything be harder than this? Afterwards, the thoughts have been more a realization of how profoundly true those seemingly simple words were.

As we come upon Thanksgiving, I want to pause and be thankful for all those who have walked down this oh so difficult road... and continue to live life "after the hospital part." In so doing, I want to share a few of stories about the heroes around you. These are stories of law enforcement officers whose lives, and their families lives, were forever changed through catastrophic events and injuries sustained while serving and protecting their communities. I have had the honor of meeting a number of these heroes and their spouses, and they all wish that they could return to their life of service.

They all are wired that special way with the desire to help people that surpasses their desire for self.

They all grieve, not just the physical loss their disabilities have caused, but the loss of camaraderie that they once had with other officers that was rooted in the need to completely trust others to have your back... while at the same time having their back.

Their families have all adjusted schedules, routines, activities, finances, and careers to accommodate caregiver roles.

They were all take charge types of people who now find life taking charge.

Not unlike any civilian who faces catastrophic injury, they all struggle to figure out where they fit in with disabilities and with the door to the life they once knew so well, forever slammed shut behind them.

They all deserve honor, respect and our thanks; because without their selfless willingness to serve and protect, our society would be overrun by those who selfishly seek to destroy order and take advantage.

Thank you to these officers and others like them, as well as to all of those who are currently serving and protecting in their communities. (Names have been changed to respect their privacy and to honor their safety... for all have taken dangerous criminals off our streets and helped to make our communities safer places to live)

Bob, a bomb tech and sergeant in charge of the city's bomb squad, suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from the back blast of a bomb 7 years ago. His distinguished law enforcement career was preceded by service in the US Army. His wife and 2 of his 3 sons also have served, or are serving in our nation's military. This family has given much to their community and country, yet they still struggle just to get basic medical care for Bob. Due to his injuries, he cannot work, and his wife has had to give up her career to become a caregiver. Both Bob and his wife continue to reach out to other disabled officers to offer assistance and encouragement because they know the path and don't want anyone to walk it alone.

Joe was in a foot pursuit of a repeat violent offender when he was shot. The gunshot wound to his neck resulted in multiple strokes and permanent disabilities. Joe has young children and his wife works full time to support the family. Like many departments across the country, his department opted out of Social Security, yet did not provide alternate disability coverage for officers. Joe, like many disabled officers, had to retire from the career he loved way before his time, cannot work, and is left with no disability coverage.

Tom had served in the sheriff’s department for 17 years when he was involved in a head on crash when, on his way to a call, a driver coming towards him crossed the center line. Among other things, Tom's legs were badly broken and crushed. He spent months in and out of surgery and rehab just trying to get back to the life he knew and loved, but was not physically able to return to work within a year's time. His department thanked him by handing him a pink slip. Tom has 2 wonderful kids and a wife who continues to give to their community as a dispatcher.

Bill was on his way to a 911 call involving what he thought was an armed robbery. The call turned out to be fake... someone trying to pull one over on their insurance company. Bill hit a patch of ice and lost control of his vehicle while responding to this call. Because of the selfish acts of one person, Bill faces the loss of his career and permanent disability.

I could go on and on with stories of heroes and their families who are "lost in a sea of blue." All of these heroes continue to have a servant's heart and would do anything to be back in uniform. All have been disconnected from the family they had relied on professionally. All have battled, and continue to battle pain and uncertainty as they live out life "after the hospital part."

This Thanksgiving, I pause to thank those all across the country who cannot be adequately thanked for their dedication and service to our country and communities. I thank their families and those who have walked with them. We are truly blessed to count so many of these heroes in our circle of friends along the twisted and broken thin blue line. God bless you all!