by Jerry Senn
I just took a tumble in my yard and was helped up by a good neighbor. My legs aren’t what they used to be, so I need to be more careful. Thankfully I didn’t hurt anything except my pride. Why is it so humiliating when you fall and need help to get back on your feet? Sure glad he came!
This brings to mind that I will begin my 88th year in a few weeks. It’s hard for me to accept. Yet, I know it is true, which means I need to make some serious adjustments in lifestyle and face some inevitable changes in other personal behaviors, like walking more and eating less.
I’m very happy preaching to and for the good brothers and sisters in Brevard. They are amazingly generous to me in every way. I know that an inevitable day will come when I can’t do this anymore. So, this life lesson from the tumble today made me more conscious of that reality.
No, this is not a resignation from the work. I will serve at the invitation and guidance of the elders, Phil and Max, and I’m sure they will help me work through decisions when the time comes for me to step aside. This isn’t about that. This is what I think I learned with this silly event, the tumble.
A few minutes after I tumbled in the front yard and could not get up, my friend Greg came across the street and lifted me to my feet with ease. I thanked him, but this event seemed to me a “God moment” — to help me see myself more honestly — a reality check and a new perspective.
You have no doubt experienced such moments, so I feel comfortable sharing this with the church family. Believe me, it’s a blessing when we’re forced by circumstances to take a long, honest look at where we are in life.
In his book, “When God Winks at You,” by Squire Rushnell, he cites many stories of experiences when people felt God was present in coincidences — he is “winking,” giving us reasons to be aware of his caring presence. After all, we know …
“God is [our] refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).