When Your Body Hurts
Jay Pack and I have begun calling ourselves the Bad Knees Brothers. We’ve both been nursing torn menisci, although I’m a relative newcomer to the club and Jay is the seasoned vet. His tile setting work is hard on knees and he has spent several years doing special exercises to compensate for his torn meniscus. Yesterday that strategy had to give way to arthroscopic surgery and he is now at home recovering. I’m praying for a strong recovery, my friend!
Even though I am only on the first leg of my journey to recovery (sorry, couldn’t help it; it just came out), I am appreciating like never before the reasons God calls his church family to function as a body. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26) The body at Evergreen is middle-aged and has more than a few aches and pains. As a pastor, few things encourage me more than watching other members of the body compensate for the pain. Here are just a few examples I’ve seen recently.
- Janet Straub: The elders joined Tim and Janet’s Life Group to lay hands on her and pray as she begins the hard road of treatment for breast cancer. This is just an initial expression of our commitment to ongoing support.
- Annette Daniells: Many are praying, bringing meals or helping watch kids as the Daniells family has been going through weeks of sickness. Annette has been hit especially hard and has just been diagnosed with pneumonia.
- Gloria Allen: This dear member, who has long been one who looks after people needing special care, found herself in need of some financial help. Pastor Matt helped the larger church body meet that need and more via the Fellowship Fund.
- Angelina: I spoke with this newcomer Sunday who has experienced great loss in the last couple years and greatly needs connection with other believers. The Women’s Ministry Team happened to be meeting right then and couldn’t have been more welcoming. I pray strong connections will be built.
- Michelle Wells: With her husband Jeremiah’s passing two weeks ago, this may be our most pressing need right now. In addition to the grief, Michelle also has pressing financial needs. Funeral related expenses are added to monthly bills and she will need to find a job soon to support herself. She may also need to find a more affordable place to live. But she is not suffering alone. Members of the body stood by her at the hospital, shared her grief as she returned to an empty house and surrounded her through the worship service Saturday night. You are invited to be part of the ongoing support by coming to the memorial service for Jeremiah this Saturday at 11am. Some members may even wish to consider a financial gift in lieu of flowers.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) Together, we will help share the burdens of the hurting.
Pastor Toby
Categories: Evergreen Connection