Above is a pic of my youngest daughter and me.
My Husband, My brother in Christ
No Matter What
I use to go to John Brown University. Graduated there. Met my husband there. And please, when you hear the name "John Brown"... it is not the abolitionist. JBU is a Christian University that is non-denominational.
Anyway, I get the "Brown Bulletin." It is mainly sent to JBU alumni. The Summer 2007 issue has an article called "Living with MS: A Love Story."
It is a story about the couple that came to mind when the doctor told my husband and I that I had MS. Why did they come to mind? Because he was one of my Bible professors when I attended JBU. I remember going to the cafeteria and watching him and his wife... They always seemed so full of joy even though she was in a wheelchair and he had to feed her. Even though her speech was so slurred at times that she could barely be understood.
"Jon, what if you have to feed me like Dr. Walters has to feed his wife? What if I end up in a wheelchair like her?" I broke down crying.
This diagnosis came only about 4 months after we reconciled our marriage after an 18 month separation.
Jon responded, "No matter what, I will always be there for you as your husband. I will always love you. This does not matter to me."
Reading this article about Dr. Walters and his wife made me think of my husband and how he has lived up to and beyond what he said to me that day.
Here are a few of Dr. Walters words from the article that spoke to my heart and reminded me of my husband.
"Everything centers around an understanding of what love is,"he said, further describing that the church and society have wrongly nurtured the idea of self-centeredness instead. Love creates no debts because it keeps no records of what it does...""We have a great life. We enjoy each other, we laugh, we make each other laugh."...
Her dependence has shown him what his relationship with God should be like.... The couple readily admit that MS was not their choice for life: "We surely wouldn't have chosen this path," says Jim.
"But it's here," Lynda added...
I think one of the most difficult things for me when I have an MS exacerbation is having to ask for help. Lynda has the progressive type of MS. Therefore her symptoms do not go into remission like mine. She lives continually with these visible disabilities. I have times in which everyone forgets that I have MS because I have no outward appearances of it.
"Some things you cannot do yourself. Some people so resist [getting help] that they insult people [who want to help]," he said.
In the midst of their situation, Jim and Lynda believe that their lives are not merely full of challenges to be endured, but full of opportunities to grow and reflect Christ.... "
"... There is the potential to die to self. There is the potential of reflecting Christ, who came, 'not to be served, but to serve and give His life..."
I wish I could reprint the article in its entirety. I remember calling Dr. Walters shortly after the diagnosis... all I could do was cry. He was so kind, so encouraging... and he prayed for Jon and I. They have made and continue to make a huge impact on Jon's and my life.
Facts about Multiple Sclerosis
A World Map of MS (It shows that MS is more prevalent in Canada than in the US. I didn't know that.)
Famous People with MS
Comments
" but full of opportunities to grow and reflect Christ...."
I listen to Joni Erickson nearly everyday, and I am always humbled when she speaks of our Lord Jesus Christ, and how she serves Him, and worships Him.
I was humbled very much in the same way with this wonderful post.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: donsands | June 12, 2007 07:27 AM