Sage Thoughts #92 Against All Odds

In between the offshore oil platform and the elementary school classroom, was a house for developmentally disabled adults. After leaving Shell Oil to go to college, I worked part time for Good Shepherd Lutheran Group Homes, where six special needs adults lived together in a house that God built.

When I first came aboard, I was disheartened by what I saw. Mark was a young man who could not speak, and was unable to take care of even his most basic needs. An exercise program had been designed for Mark, and he hated every second of it. Mark was supposed to swing a plastic bat at least ten times. When I looked back at his chart, I saw that he would only swing once or twice, and then quit. When I handed him the bat, he let it go and then gave me a disgusted look as if to say, “ Are you going to make me do this stupid thing too?” I have always loved sports, so I picked the bat up and handed it back to Mark. I said,” It’s the bottom of the ninth, with the bases loaded and two outs. Coming to bat is Maaaarrrk. The pitcher throws a strike down the middle and Mark swings. HOMERUN! The crowd goes wild!!!”

Mark let go a laugh so infectious that all the others laughed with him. Mark hit about one-hundred homeruns, cheered on by his friends, and then sat down, exhausted, but deliriously happy. Mark was a missing person, but no one was looking for him. All he needed was a little encouragement. Mark became a dear friend. Long after I became a teacher, I would stop by and give Mark a batting lesson.

I thought about Mark this week, while I was searching a music video on Godtube. Yep, Godtube. A wonderful website with great music and videos without that sinful aftertaste that comes with a Youtube search. This video had been seen over 16 million times. It showed an older man carrying a younger,developmentally disabled man. The old man strapped his companion in a canoe, and jumped into the water, pulling the canoe as he swam. The young man had no facial expression, and I couldn’t tell whether he even knew what was going on. By the time they got back to shore, I could see that they were in an Iron Man competition. The old man placed his partner in a large sports-type stroller, and off they went. After many miles, it was time for bicycling. It was then that the young man came alive. Perched on the handlebars, he grinned as they pedaled off. Towards the end of the race, the old man was wearing down. Finally they reached the finish line, where both father and son wept as they embraced in victory.

My first thought was that God says over and over in the Bible, “ I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I am the younger man, and my Heavenly Father is making sure I finish this race victoriously. I need all the help I can get. You too?

My second thought was that there are times where I find excuses why I can’t do something. That old man wasn’t letting excuses get in his way. He raced on to victory, when most everyone else would have given up in defeat. Philippians 4:13 says,”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”