“Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.”
(Psalm 32: 6~7 NRSVE)
One of the most positive people I know… and maybe one of the happiest as well… is Gerianne. When I give you the context of that happiness and the circumstances surrounding her positivity you just might be amazed. You might think a more proper response to life’s situations would be, “I loathe my life; I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my
soul.” (Job 10:1 NRSVE). But not Gerianne!
Gerianne lives with Cerebral Palsy. Anyone who has experienced what most call a debilitating condition such as this personally or within family, friends or even wider community, knows how it affects day to day life. She has become an outspoken voice for those who have little voice in addressing what circumstances are part of their lives. As an advocate and teacher she has made a
great difference. I can’t ever remember things being easy for Gerianne. I would be overwhelmed by what she has
confronted, maybe especially if I received a serious cancer diagnosis.
But not Gerianne!
Her latest missive had this news to share: “I start my radiation treatments this coming Monday. It’ll be 5 days a week, for at least 20 treatments. I’ve got my “tunes to be zapped by” playlist on my tablet and ready to go! (so I’m stoked and energized!)”
Gerianne is not delusional in what is her life. There is a lot that goes in to having such a positive attitude. “I’m also going in with an army of well-wishers and spiritual supporters – friends, associates, my church family. All who are helping me stay incredibly strong. I am so blessed, and grateful.”
I invite you to pick out the pieces that are part of her positive approach to life in that sentence! Her story has so many twists and turns I can barely follow. At a time when it is often hard to find those who are willing to serve in various capacities within the church and maybe especially in the role of elder, Gerianne says “Another piece of news that’s kind of significant, (for me anyway) is that I’ve recently been nominated to become an Elder at my church. For me, (whether I am actually elected or not) it truly is a real honour to even be considered and if I am elected, it is a role that I will take on most seriously, with humility, dignity, and honour… (This church) holds a Christian community that I love very much and love being a part of.”
The bottom line is that Gerianne lives, moves and has her being in the presence of God. Circumstances do not define her… God does. And by the grace of God she will live each and every day in faith, hope and love. Gerianne has experienced the love and grace of God in the midst of the life she is living and thrives on the challenges before her. I once shared my favourite bible verse with Gerianne “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13 NRSVE).
The Job story sets up an understanding that helps us make sense of the life of Christ, who, though God’s Son and our Messiah, suffers humiliating mockery and execution before being justified by God and returned to glory. Back to Job’s story, which is Gerianne’s story, which is my story, which is, or can be, your story. Maybe we have learned Job’s truth: “I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted… I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.”
(Job 42:2,5 NRSVE).
By the grace of God may we live each and every day in faith, hope and love.
Prayer: Lord your word becomes my prayer this day. “Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me. By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:7-8 NRSVE)
Thought for the day: “To me, my disability is a gift from God that He has entrusted me to do good things with: to teach, inspire, encourage, motivate, and hopefully divulge even the tiniest glimpses of our Lord.” Gerianne
Kenn Stright