Mephibosheth Ministry Church Relations

Happy New Year!

For the first time in years, perhaps in my entire life, I feel I’m right where I should be. No more down the road, no less. I ask myself what goal should I take on this year – write another book, try to work with a church, strengthen my body somehow or at least talk to my therapy advisors about what I can do, but the Holy Spirit tells me I’m right where I need to be. Yes, He will make me grow this year, I’m sure, and I do have ideas of what I want to do, but I have no desire to force my will on something I can’t control.

I could, for example, question my body. It’s not working like it has been…I’m basically stuck in one position any more and can’t even roll over in bed. Should I worry about that? Could something be done to help me be movable? It’s a question worth asking, but I’m not going to worry about it as I have in the past. I have exercises I do, play the WI, and go to swimming a few times a week. I’ll do what my body allows me to do – nothing more nothing less.

The question comes across my mind: am I using my degree in Leadership and Ethics like I planned? What have I done lately in my work as Church Relations Director to deserve to keep that job title? Okay, I manage a church database for the Colorado Springs area, and I helped present a seminar last September. My old self would shame me for that because I could do so much more, and I do have two ideas I’m praying about doing. For example, I would like to write more about what it takes to involve someone with a disability in a church body and sell it, and/or video our presentations and post them on the web. Both are realistic goals, and I hope Mary Jane will give me the go ahead to pursue these goals. I have faith that I’ll do whatever my body will allows me to do.

For now, I’m working as an online missionary where I get to lead people to Christ almost every day. This may be my true calling, and again if I’m not careful I could deny Christ’s work through me. My degree is in Leadership and Ethics, and my job is a Church Relations Director. But there are some days when my body isn’t behaving and I can’t seem to get going. I can always write a note to a contact, and I have participated in God’s Kingdom if I just did that. I have also discovered that this ministry has given me a place where I can use all my skills and knowledge I have developed the past 15 years. Whether it’s explaining the Trinity to a new Christian, or answering a question about a disability issue, my years of study are starting to pay off!

There are days when my body doesn’t work and I just want to pray. I get angry because I thought I’d be doing so much more. After all, Joni Eareckson Tada and Mary Jane Ponten hurt maybe more than I do, and look at them. They’re always on the go, and I resigned myself that my body doesn’t work and I just can pray?

Nothing against prayer. Prayer moves mountains. But I never thought of myself as so disabled, so crippled, that all I could do is to pray. After all, I’m not medically fragile. I’m not dying. Yet, years of wear and tare on my body have taken it troll, and I’m starting notice it. There’s nothing I can do about it, so I’ll do what I can and leave the rest for God.

Prayer requests:

• For my body, that it allows me to do my work

• For my work as Church Relations Director and possible new projects

• For my work as an online missionary, and for Thapelo who is so close for accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Tait