Last weekend I attended two graduation parties of a few of my former Bible students. While talking to a former co-worker I ran into my friend Bill, a man I served with on a church board as an elder for 3 years. Over the last 6 years, Bill has had 3 strokes. Bill was able to fully recover, regaining his speech after the first two strokes, but this most recent stroke has been debilitating.
As Bill and I talked face to face for the first time in nearly 4 years, I could tell by the expression on his face that his inability to communicate like he always had was frustrating. However, I give Bill credit for not shying away from others, pouting or isolating himself from others. Bill is fighting against the odds, attempting to make a full recovery God willing from 3 strokes that could have killed him. Bill may not have his voice fully back, yet his does have his life and his wife.
My conversation with Bill revealed that I have been taking the obvious for granted. I spent the first 21 years of my life suffering from a severe speech impediment. Like Bill, each day for me was a struggle to spit out what I truly wanted to say. Part of me gave up hope that I would ever be able to clearly express myself. However, a prayer group, a few friends from church and a retreat in Friendship, Maryland allowed me to be healed from stuttering. Although God does not heal every ailment, like Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, all of us must give thanks to God for every day and breath so that we will no longer take the obvious blessings in life for granted.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 