Merle

I grew up in Huntsville, Illinois. It was a very small community. In that little town lived a giant of a person. His name was Merle. Now Merle was a slave to a wheelchair from a very early age. By all accounts of his life he should of been bitter, angry or sarcastic but he wasn’t. He would watch us play in the park after church or summer Bible school. I know he wanted to run with us but there he sat. Often in pain or discomfort. Smiling. Always smiling. As he grew up he got weaker and weaker or at least physically he did. But not on the inside. His heart and soul became stronger and stronger. You see Merle had given his heart to Jesus as a young boy. Though he had to suffer for a time he had this unstoppable, unchanging hope that he could count on to help him endure. And he endured!! Like no person I’ve ever known in my life. I’m proud to say he was my friend but he was more than that. He was a witness to me of hard work and endurance in Christ!! 1 Thessalonians 1:3 says we remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ! So many of us, like me, have been blessed with a strong body able to do physical work and often we take it for granted. We have also been given the chance to be saved just like Merle. I’m ashamed to say that even though I am saved and truly believe in Jesus I often fail in my attitude. I get spiritually lazy and complain or become sarcastic when times get tough. It is then that God in his great love for me reminds me of the giant of a man that was in my life who for the hope of eternal life endured so much and did it with a kind word and a smile!! Merle, I remember you before our God and Father, how you labored and endured daily and because of you I am reminded that a kind word and a smile is a much better witness than snarky, sarcastic words and a frown. I long to run with you in paradise!! Dear Father, I thank you for the people you have put in my life both past and present that are still teaching me and helping me grow!!