For Those Who Can’t

posted on Jul 02 by Linda Beck in the Guest Authors, Linda Beck category

When I got my handicapped accessible conversion van, I went to show it to my brother and he programmed the Christian music stations in for me just as he did when I bought the 1996 Buick Skylark.

I don’t listen to the radio much because I don’t like commercials or talk shows. But sometimes God just brings things together to create a story. I was on my way to the library to pick up a video for “the other Linda,” my friend who lives in assisted living. We’ve known each other for fifteen years and it is amazing how time flies. I was also going to have lunch with my sister, brother, and another friend with multiple sclerosis. As I left my driveway I turned the radio on, and a preacher caught my attention. I almost turned to the music station, but it was like God stopped my hand and said, “Just Listen.”

I know that Chuck Swindoll is very famous, but I had never heard him preach. He was talking about Saul and David’s faithfulness to him even in the latter days when Saul relentlessly pursued David out of bitterness and jealousy. These are stories from the Book of First Samuel.

Next he began talking about the friendship of Jonathan and David in Chapter 20. Listening to the scripture about how Jonathan protected David from his own father, Saul, reminded me of all the friendships I’ve had over the years.

Verse #16 tells of the covenant Jonathan made with David, but then verse #17 really caught my attention: “And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.” Swindoll then began to talk about friendships and he said these two men were like “soul to soul” or “kindred spirits.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I remembered in the beginning stage of our friendship when I told “the other Linda” that I felt like we were “kindred spirits.”

I had first heard that phrase in the movie, “Anne of Green Gables” and here I was on my way to surprise Linda with the movie since I had discovered that she had never seen it. (I had just got a used book for her when I was at a book signing but she says reading is sometimes difficult for her and I don’t think she reached the part about “kindred spirits.”)

I began to think about some of my other friendships and all the nice things others have done for me during my confinement. My friend, Barbara, picked up and returned books to the library for me. Lou bought me chocolate and Cheerwine (local soft drink) and visited every Thursday afternoon during my confinement. Donna bought card-making supplies, delivered the cards to the post office, and paid the cost of mailing them to the soldiers many times. Debbie, Betty Lou, another Donna, and Anita furnished supplies for the cards. My sister brought my groceries and took me to the doctor many times and buys my lunch every week. My brother helped with my yard work and took me to the plant nurseries when I wanted to go and to church. My friend Judy Mc. took care of the paperwork which got my retirement started. Another friend named Judy helped me find out I had been cheated out of ten years of Joe’s social security. (I was reimbursed for one year and now draw some monthly.) My friend, Pat, helped me proofread my first book and my daughter helped me get the books published. My friend, Gerri bought gifts for my new home and sent me several devotional books that spoke to my heart. Miss Janie came and changed my bed weekly for a very long time and others have helped with the housework and laundry. My beautician, Debbie, came to my house to cut my hair when it was hard for me to go out. Readers emailed me or stopped to tell me how much they enjoyed my stories and how brave they think I am. Jennifer, my kids, and others took me out to dinner and places I wanted to go. I know I am leaving some of my friends out, but it is impossible to list everything that so many special people have done for me.

I know there are still some things I will have to ask for help with, but now that I have my own handicapped conversion van, I can visit those who have no way to come to me. While thinking about all these folks and how they were there for me, the title of this story was born.

When I was using the county disability van service, I was only allowed two days per week and I had to petition, beg and plead at times to have two separate days as opposed to Monday and Tuesday (which often left me confined five days in a row). For a period of time I was given special consideration with Tuesday and Friday at my doctor’s request, but just prior to buying the van, my section of the county was again assigned Monday and Tuesday (no exceptions). I guess that was the “straw that broke this handicapped camel’s back” and the search for a van was underway.

Within a few weeks after I purchased my van, our district was given Tuesday and Thursday…what I had fought for! Did I have anything to do with the change? I know I had called and argued the point many times so that just tells me we should speak up for ourselves. Times like this always remind me of the poem, “I Didn’t Speak Up.” I had just previously explained to the Director of Senior Services how now that I have my own transportation, I hope to be an advocate for the disabled. I believe that God is giving me another way to serve Him and His disabled children. If He expands my territory as He did in the days when my health was better and I prayed “The Prayer of Jabez” daily (First Chronicles 4:10), then perhaps I can pass along some lessons I’ve learned with my disabilities and help others find, from His word, that “peace that surpasses understanding.” I think “the other Linda” and I have learned that together in all our phone calls and visits.

I believe when I took my hand away from that radio dial and listened, God led me to see it is time for me to be there “For Those Who Can’t.”