“Be determined and confident; your God will never fail or
abandon you.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
Oliver's last day of freedom had
held all of the monotony that belongs to a 15 year old. A day of classes, a trek to the video store
for games and a movie, a bike ride to a friend’s house.
On his return home, peddling faster now because it was getting
dark, snow began falling. Oliver pumped
with vigor past trees staring at him like silent sentries. But a section of roadway still under construction
awaited his path. Without warning, his “routine
" ended abruptly, forever.
As he flew over the handlebars he felt his neck snap. His body slammed against unforgiving granite
forcing air from his lungs, leaving his body twisted at a bizarre angle. What evil had so cruelly expelled him from the
animated life of a teenager into the alien lifestyle of a quadriplegic?
For two hours he lay in the grave-like confines of an
irrigation ditch . . . wondering . . . waiting. His head seemed disconnected from his
motionless body. As family members retraced
his route, Oliver remained locked within the prison of his own flesh. He tried to scream but physical injuries
foiled any attempt.
As the temperature continued to drop Oliver felt neither the
water from the bottom of the irrigation ditch soaking his clothes, nor the
pressure from blood pooling in his legs. “Why can't I get up?” he agonized as panic joined
the battle of life vs. death that raced through him.
Then a single thought emerged; a favored bible verse: “Your God will never abandon you.” Suddenly
a blissful feeling swept over him - the state when you stop dying, and begin
to live.
“It’s going to be alright; there’s a purpose in this.” It was as if all the love in the world embraced
him - a love that would sustain him until medical help arrived.
Oliver wasn't expected to live. His spinal cord injury, high in the cervical
vertebrae, had left him paralyzed from the neck down. He’d need constant care the rest of his
life. But the love which had visited him
in the culvert had implanted itself within him, welcoming each new day. Amazingly, it disarmed the anger, frustration and
despair that ordinarily accompanies such a devastating injury.
He’d conquer one challenge after another; from college
graduation to eventually landing his dream job.
Oliver never slowed for self-pity.
“I just made everything work with what God gave me,” he proclaims.
Where had it come from?
Faith became his power tool. Knowing God is with you all the time seriously
boosts your ability to empower yourself. Faith in whatever higher being you believe in
helps you have the courage to do what scares you and to believe in your ability
to get things done.
Most merciful God, I know everything that
happens is for my greater good. During
my darkest hour I lean on you. You’re
still in control. That’s all I
need. Amen
