By Allen White
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for
their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who
falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will
keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two
can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes
4:9-12
Remember
that commercial where the older women presses a button on her necklace, then
says, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” The button promises independence with
an emergency backup. And, I’m sure that it’s helped a lot of people. But,
there’s something better than a “personal alarm,” how about sharing life with an actual person?
One
night, I was listening to Dr. Mike Collins. I was tempted to leave early, since
it was Game 5 of the World Series (Go Giants!), but I stayed for his whole talk
and missed three scoreless innings.
Mike
Collins is one of the most remarkable people that I’ve ever known. Mike was an
athlete, a trainer, a coach, a professor and a successful businessman. He’s
also a Texan. He mentioned last night that he grew up understanding that you
don’t ask for help, you do it yourself.
After
an automobile accident in 2003, Mike was left paralyzed from the chest down.
While he has gained some movement through intensive physical therapy, he is
entirely dependent on his wife and his friends for everything. While I’m sure
that there is frustration at times (he would never admit that), he says that
he’s happier and more fulfilled now than ever. What business success couldn’t
bring him a life changing injury did.
When
I listen to Mike, I do appreciate the use of my physical abilities. But, most
of all, I appreciate his attitude and his outlook on life. I have never left a
conversation with him and not felt encouraged. He could have plenty to complain
about, yet he chooses to encourage others. He also works three days per week at
Greenville Tech with Susan by his side.
Most
of us have full use of our physical abilities, yet we are paralyzed in other
ways. We can’t get passed the things that we’ve done. We can’t get over the
hurt of our past. We can’t escape the pull of an addiction. We’re stuck. We
need a little button, so we can shout, “I’m stuck and I can’t move forward!”
In
the church, help is all around us. Have you asked for help? Have you asked for
someone to pray about the thing that’s breaking your heart? Have you borrowed
something from someone rather than going out and charging it on your credit card?
Do you have a small group around you to encourage you and to lead you to the
truth of God’s Word?
Or
have you fallen and you can’t get up?
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