In Case You Forgot
My friend Kevin wrote me a letter the other day. An actual letter. The kind that took a card, an envelope and stamps. But if you know Kevin, you know it took a lot more than that.
Kevin, as some of you may remember, is a former police officer who was in a terrible car accident. Sparing his life, the collision took his speech, his gait, his coordination and motor skills. Following his brain injury, he taught himself how to walk. (And now he’s teaching me.)
As angels are prone, Kevin demonstrates more thoughtfulness in a day than I show in a lifetime. On the front of the card, Hallmark said, “Just a little reminder in case you forgot.” Divine irony given that Kevin’s memory was shattered.
But Kevin, an acronym savant, assembles more encouragement and gospel goodness than anything you or I will read on social media this day. I took a couple of pics of the card for you, but he writes,
Pray Until Something Happens
Stop Worrying and Pray
Fully Rely On God.
Jesus, Others, You.
I love you Jimmy.”
I’m not sure how long it took Kevin to write that much, but I can tell you this much, I’ll never forget it.
ON THE ANVIL
He also sent along a poem. While the original author remains anonymous, I read it as if I were listening to Kevin as he struggles to form each handwritten word. The poem is so rich and deep and meaningful and complex that I can’t put it down. But it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s not for those that believe you always get what you work for. It’s not for those that flex their faith, or pose, or pretend.
Each sentence seems to recalibrate me and shape me and break me. In a nutshell, God can do whatever He wants. It is not about me. It’s not about you. He knows what He’s doing. That’s it. Enjoy. If it helps, Kevin will narrate. In a workroom of grace, pencil in hand, writing on an anvil. Clank, clank, clank… “When”…..”God”……”wants”……
When God wants to drill a man
And thrill a man
And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him.
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And which every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out……
God knows what He’s about.
- jimmy peña
THE BODY:
Did you happen to catch our soft launch of “The Body” last week? Over 20,000 people have watched it so far. That’s just grace. Hope you enjoy The PrayFit Story and join us on our vocation to help those impacted by special needs.
