The Way of Perseverance

The Race Begins.

I was the kid, so it was my job to get out of the truck to unlock the gate when dad and I went to the barn. Dad then drove through. But one day my fingers wouldn’t manipulate the gate lock. I kept trying to grasp the lock, but my fingers just couldn’t manage it. My thumb wouldn’t depress the metal lever on the lock. No matter how much I tried, the lock would not release. Dad finally got out and did the job for me. A little annoyed, I’m sure. How hard was it to unlock a gate? I had done it so many times before. Dad then went ahead and fed the horses.

When we arrived back home to eat lunch lunch, mom had to feed me because I couldn’t hold utensils. Knowing something was not right, I was sent to lay down on my bed while my parents called my pediatrician. On my way back to bed, it was a struggle to keep my legs under me. I had no way of knowing, but those were the last few moments of my life being “normal”. That was the pivotal point-life as I knew would never be the same.

My parents contacted the doctor and was instructed to head to the emergency room immediately. In those few minutes, paralysis had progressed from just my fingers to my entire entire body from my chest down. I was twelve years old.

Slow Going.

After many weeks in the local hospital and later at Mayo Clinic, physicians of many specialties evaluated me. The diagnosis confirmed was transverse myelitis-a rare neurological insult (trauma) to the spinal cord.

Up to that point in my life my parents provided all the needs in my life. Up to that point in my life, I had never known despair. 

Upon discharge from the hospital, my mother became my nurse. She fed me, bathed me, and dressed me.  She did every single thing for me except chew my food. My mom can care for me physically, but she couldn’t care for my spiritually. 

Being immobile, my father pushed me in a wheelchair wherever I needed to go.  If he couldn’t get me there in a wheelchair, he would carry me. There were, though, places to which I could not be carried.  His arms could not carry me to the place of acceptance, to the place of contentment, or to the place of perseverance.

My parents did everything for me that was humanly possible.  But, I needed care in ways that were only divinely possible.

At the age of 12, God traded my physical strength for His spiritual strength. He traded my assumptions for my future for His plans.

It wouldn’t be until many years later I would figure that out.

Mounting the Platform.

Living with these significant physical limitations brought so many questions.

What kind life do I have ahead of me, if any?

I couldn’t do one single thing for myself.  Would I always be completely dependent on another person?

Would I ever walk again? Would I ever be completely well?

No doctor or physical therapist had answers.

Will hopelessness always hang over me? And with that came quiet depression. 

Through the process of time, One had the answer to all my questions.  His answers came in the form of real-life examples of endurance. He provided tools for resilience. Opportunities arose despite my circumstances. He led me from the “normal” world to the “Even Though” world (more about this World in future posts).

Some recovery came. Slowly. My right side improved better than my left. Finger function improved to the point I at least feed myself. Completion of all other tasks requiring fingers were achieved with adaptation. My pencil grip, buttoning buttons, tying shoelaces was a struggle, not normal, but functional. Walking with a brace on my left ankle and assistance became my “new normal”.

I eventually attended college and graduate school, traveled to Sweden as an exchange student, and married. God blessed me with three wonderful sons. The progress to an abundant life did not come easily or without constant healing of mind and spirit.

Because of the gift of Himself and adversity, He has given me a powerful platform.  I have, up to this point, reluctantly mounted.

I felt I needed to journal the blessings from God. Lavishly bestowed blessings, I might add.  I begin this endeavor hoping to accomplish three things.

• The first aim is to equip parents. This is done by highlighting God’s presence. It also involves the provision He supplies when parenting or caring for the children with which he entrusted to you.
• The second is to create a supportive, hope-filled community. This community is rooted in faith and encouragement for fellow parents and care providers as they work toward raising resilient children. 
• The third is to inspire parents and care-providers to persevere through ongoing adversity and teach their children to do the same.

---

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…

Hebrews 12:1-2

I’m not a writer.  The thoughts in my head seem much richer and more eloquent than on paper. 

I pray God will take my attempts to inspire and equip then transform them into something useful for you.

Be encouraged you to share to your story in the Comment section or email me at Melissa@thewayofperserverance.blog

Everybody has a story. Someone needs to hear yours.