In essence, this is an element of my work too. He would take what others thought was pure "junk" and he'd break it down into it basic elements: copper wire, lead piping, corrugated tin.and re-purpose it in a way that not only had value, but served humanity.over and over again.out of purifying "strange fires" and into beautiful, functional "fresh forms." Nothing new.just a new view of what was always there. One of my grandpas was in the salvage business. Salvation, salvage work, reclaiming what is essential, fundamental, useful from what the world would be more than happy to send to the dump, bury in the landfill of broken humanity. It was, in and of itself, all about salvation. I have not experienced one second of vulnerability, discomfort, or weakness in that ankle since.īut this moment of divine grace was so much bigger than a "fixed" ankle. It was perfectly formed and suited to that moment's need. And since I needed my ankle to do that.to take a call in the middle of the night from someone in, my ankle, stepped up to the demand.
Mentally washing feet, praying, serving.quite some time, and my knees served me, as I served God, perfectly.Īt one point, the phone rang and I got up to answer it. I had my knees, and they were perfectly formed and suited for the work at hand.washing feet, praying, looking up from this humble posture into the hearts and faces of His, God's beloved children. Right then and there, I had everything I needed. "Father, what is it that I need to see and feel tonight? What is your salvation message for me right here, right now?"Īnd in the silence His message came, "If your ministry is all about staying on your knees, what do you need an ankle for right now?" And since kneeling works for me.bringing humility into laser-like focus as I pray.I got on my knees by the side of my bed like a little child listening for her divine Parent's voice. I wasn't just looking for validation of my own "theory," that healing followed salvation, I wanted the Truth. So right there, in the midst of darkness and discomfort, I found myself aching for spiritual confirmation and direction.
Crippling illnesses, pain, suffering, torment, blindness were lifted from humanity with the blessing, "thy sins are forgiven thee, go in peace." I couldn't help but remember the gospel accounts of Jesus' healing record. Mary Baker Eddy defines the "purpose" of what it is that we both practice, Christian Science, as, "to reinstate primitive Christianity, and its lost element of healing." It has become clear to me, why she places primitive Christianity.behaviors consistent with Christ: non-judgment, honestly, compassion, meekness, patience, hope, temperance.first. But we were clear that salvation, the healing of sin, or the feeling of being separated from God - and what springs from that feeling of separation.vulnerability, pain, heartache, disease, war, chaos.came first. My friend, Dick Davenport, and I had been talking about.what? Oh, yes, our salvation-based ministries of scientific Christianity, which, we discussed, includes scientific, prayer-based physical healing. Okay, exhale deeply."ohhmmm" Hmmm.I was gardening and talking on the phone. Nothing changed.but, more pain, swelling, immobility.and pain, did I mention pain?Īnd as my ankle got larger and larger, and getting from here to there became less possible, I was finally ready to "stop!!!".and rethink my standpoint (no pun intended) on the entire experience. One recent evening I was multi-tasking in my typical way.phone at my ear - deep in conversation, pulling the last remnants of autumn's plantings out of window boxes, mixing in new soil, planting soft shades of periwinkle, white and the palest yellow pansies.when, in the middle of a particularly impassioned conversation about God's calling in our hearts, I tripped, fell, and torqued my ankle in a way that screamed, "uh-ohh, another six to eight weeks on crutches."Īt first, I dismissed it quickly from a strictly spiritual standpoint of "I am not material, I am spiritual," with all the metaphysical reasoning I know to be consistent with this form of treatment. And it's a song that perfectly prefaces this experience, and the lens through which I see the work I love so much. I love Jaci Velasquez' recording of "On My Knees".