Invalid or Invalid?
During our morning walk, Flounder and I were chatting away while enjoying our time together on a gorgeous November morning. Taking in the fresh air and being thankful that it wasn’t freezing, we happily shared gratitude for the fact that we could stroll together on this fine morn.
As he hopped alongside me, we laughed together at ourselves and our similarities. Then, we noted the others in our “family” who also had a sauntering gait-a “hitch in their get-along”.
Together we listed how each of us has overcome our trials and worked to enjoy life in our own way. CJ has lost some weight and found a good pair of shoes, thus helping him feel much better and now he likes to jog everywhere he goes. Now and then he still has times where that right shoulder gives him a hitch, but it doesn’t slow him down much.
Rocky is smaller than everyone else. Even though he’s one of the eldest, he has to decide whether he feels that running and playing is worth the possibility of his hip or his leg hurting worse the next day. Most of the time he watches from a safe spot and saves his energy for meal time, although on a good day he joins in for a brief frolic as long as everyone doesn’t get too rambunctious.
Kota really doesn’t have much issue with anything. He will surprise us all with a kick or a hop and even a full out sprint from time to time. Although he mostly walks pretty slow, has a smooth swagger to the hip and seems older than the hills, he gets around really well and is good at minding his own business.
Bella brought her ailment on herself. She’s a sucker for a good run, but never warms up first. On the other hand, P, well, she’s the toughest of us all. More lasting life than the energizer bunny. We can’t figure out how she keeps goin’ but she does! She has a growth on her leg as “big as my head”, my mother-in-law says, but P doesn’t let that stop her from anything.
As we continued to the barn, Flounder stated that we’re a bunch of misfits that make the best of it. I laughed and said, “Yeah, a group of invalids that don’t know it.” He stopped and looked at me with big, round eyes and four inch lashes, “Invalid? You are very valid to me.”
“NO!, invalid, not in-valid.” I replied to that sweet little face.
It hit me then and there, that’s the same word, but different. Hummm. I didn’t like that at all.
“You’re right Flounder, we aren’t invalid at all! We are all valid. Very much valid and very much valued. You’ve made a very valid point.” He smiled and we continued our walk, me hobbling along with my crepe myrtle stick, and he with his left leg straight as a board. Happy together, two peas in a pod.
Psalm 119: 49-50 “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
And of course my all time go to when I need a kick in the pants. 2 Corinthians 12. Namely verses 5-10. Paul is making clear how he isn’t to be held above anyone. He only wants to speak the truth about Jesus and win souls for the Kingdom. Keeping him humble in servitude, he had a “thorn in the flesh” (v7). He asked the Lord three times to take it from him, and was told, (v9) “...My grace is sufficient for the: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” and Paul went on to say. “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Humbling and empowering at the same time! YES! Here I am Lord! Use me! I fall down before you, and you raise me up. Nothing I do is by my own power. You give me everything I have: ability, strength, knowledge, gifts. Let me create for Your glory! Let me live out your will.
And verse 10, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Powerful.
How can I feel sorry for myself, or care what anyone else thinks when I have the Creator on my side?
I used to say that when I got to Heaven I wanted to be a messenger for God and I’d run everywhere I went. But I’m doing that now. I may not be running on foot the way some folks do, but I’m running my best race while living out my best life the best way I can because I have the best goal and the greatest helper of all.
My little family of afflicted are blessings to me. They help me realize I’m worth more than I realize. What a joy to have a happy calf run to me when I call him, sidewinder that he is. Rocky thinks I’m his momma and he looks at me with loving lamb eyes while I bottle feed him three times a day. Bella is a spoiled pup that leans into me when she’s afraid and runs even when she’s hurt because she wants to protect me. And of course P; she’s my long time buddy that has helped me through some tough times. All of us borderline invalid. Each of us very valid. We are all important to each other, needed and loved.
How great to be loved.
John 3:16
reference
*invalid: a person made weak or disabled by illness or injury
*invalid: logically inconsequent
*valid: well-grounded or justifiable: being at once relevant and meaningful
