Humble Pie

I had quite the experience in humility following the foot surgery that I had earlier this winter. I found myself walking, or rather hobbling around in unknown territory. My independence was compromised by my reduced mobility. I was frustrated in the grocery store where the plastic produce bags were so high that I feared that my crutches would go tumbling to the ground if I dared to reach for one. I nearly caused a disaster in a restaurant that was so crowded that I had to hop sideways past a stack of booster seats and a bunch of chairs in order to get to the restroom. And forget going up and down steps; my husband graciously and gracefully hoisted me up and down as need be (don't worry; he's used to wrestling with pigs)!

However, the worst part about being on crutches was maneuvering doors. I discovered that handicap accessible buildings do not, as a rule, have automatic doors for the restrooms. On one occasion, after attempting to elbow my way in to the Ladies' Room while leaning on one crutch, my foot dangling, I found that I was stuck between the wall and the door. My entrance was not exactly what you would call graceful! As far as my exit was concerned, I was reduced to beating on the door with my crutch with the hope that some kind soul on the other side would free me from captivity! However, I did graduate to a walking cast, and although it felt like dead weight, it sure did beat crutches! Indeed, I learned a lot about what it means to have a disability, temporary as mine was.

As we enter into the Easter season, let us remember that we didn't get to the resurrection without the cross. That means acknowledging our own spiritual disabilities as well as the reduced mobility that is caused by the dead weight of sin that we are carrying around. However, I think that you will find that Jesus is handicap accessible. He is there to open the heavy doors for those who are held captive by their disbelief. He'll hoist you up as need be; he's used to wrestling with those who are uncertain in their faith. But most of all, he is the one in whom we can be certain that we will have sure footing as we continue on this journey called discipleship.