Our driveway has a steep slope down to the mailbox that never used to be a problem until my MS began to progress to the point where walking and balance were an issue. So my husband decided it was time to purchase an electric scooter so I could drive to get the mail. I should have been ecstatic but my pride prevented me from taking advantage of what I had. I would carefully watch out the front window until no one was around then surreptitiously hurry to the mailbox.
It all worked beautifully until one day I was picking up the mail and turned around to see my next door neighbor greeting me with a “Hi!”. I sheepishly responded and left quickly.
Unbeknownst to me, this same neighbor had just been diagnosed with a brain tumor and within months also needed a mobility device to get to his mailbox.
Not long after this an MS friend assured me that using a mobility device was no worse than using glasses to see. He taught me the right perspective and I was so sorry I had missed my opportunity to be an encouragement to my neighbor.
I was reminded of the Apostle Paul’s admonition in II Corinthians 1:3 and 4.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. (The Message)
Bottom line is that I am not in a wheelchair to be punished but to be an encouragement to others.