Mark Johnson | August 7, 2015
Dear Church Family,
Please allow me to offer my heartfelt appreciation for everyone's love concern and prayers for my well-being. I am doing tremendously better after a bicycle accident on Thursday, July 30. I plan to be with you on Sunday, though I am still a little bit banged up and will need to wear my right arm in a sling for a few weeks. I am very fortunate my injuries were not that bad in the grand scheme of things, as my heart and prayers go out to all those who are enduring far greater struggles and challenges.
Here are a few of the things I've learned (and relearned) this past week:
1. Strangers can be extraordinarily kind during times of great need. Those who witnessed my accident or who came by quickly after, paramedics, physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals were angels of mercy and reminders of God's abiding care and grace.
2. Family and friends, including all church friends and colleagues are tremendous Care-givers. While not relishing the idea of being the recipient of care, I cannot over emphasize the power of such care in helping aid the healing process. We cannot get through our troubles alone. We need one another and sometimes, that includes being humble enough to receive another's help.
3. I should never take simple things like; putting on a shirt, or sleeping comfortably in a bed, or driving a car, or even taking a jug of milk out of the refrigerator, for granted.
4. Solutions to some of our frustrations, like the dictation function on the computer I'm using right now, can be as close by as our fingertips. I may have to learn new skills or try new things, but most change is easier than we first think.
5. Patience is a good thing. Slowing down is a good thing. Realizing I am not irreplaceable is a good thing.
6. I am proud of our church staff who all get along so well, who can turn on a dime, and handle our needs so competently at the drop of a hat.
7. I will get better in time, and hopefully stronger at the broken places. Because God redeems us from the pit, and is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS in the rescuing business.
This Sunday we can find a couple of lectionary readings from last week and this week, focused on selective verses in Exodus, chapter 16 and in the Gospel of John chapter 6. I look forward to my worship with you this Sunday at Central Baptist Church.
Thankful again for all your love and concern,
Mark
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