I am my own worst enemy, my biggest critic, and my own most brutal bully. For all the ways I have been gifted and blessed, I can tell you a thousand ways I fall short. This internal battle has really manifested itself in my physical abilities the most.
I was born with Hip Dysplasia. This condition allows my hips to rotate out of socket, and cause me a lot of pain. Growing up, I never noticed that I had this problem. I would run around at recess, ride bike all over town, and play with my friends just like any kid would do.
When I was in Middle School I was in Track and ran the hurdles. I was a pretty good little hurdler and ran every meet. One meet I was coming over a hurdle and my hip came out of socket and I fell over the hurdle into the track in agonizing pain. Little did I know this was just the beginning of my long list of problems I would soon experience from my hip.
As a young boy I wanted nothing else but become a Marine. I was fully convinced as a 10 year old that nothing could stop me from fulfilling that desire I had. What started as a childhood obsession turned into a passion and drive. When I was old enough I started working out and looking at ways I could keep growing. I went from a gangly little 10 year old kid, into an up and coming 16 year old Marine.
When I was 16 I was given the opportunity to train with other recruits for the Mairnes twice a week. This was to help make Basic Training easier on us. It was also a way to measure and compare your ability and knowledge to other peers and Marines. It became very evident that I had a gift for this and was excelling past expectation. I did this for two years and was told by my peers, recruiters, and others around me that I was going to do incredibly well. I had broken records and impressed some of the most physically fit people I had ever met. Nothing could stop me.
When the time came to sign the papers to become a Marine I did it with no hesitation. While training I would have problems with my hip every once in a while but it was never more than I could handle. It hindered me but it couldn’t stop me.
A week after signing the papers and sending in all my medical forms I heard back from them. The military doctors told me that because of my condition I was disqualified from all branches of the military. My hard work, dreams, and abilities to be a Marine were all a waste.
I gave up on a lot of other dreams and became very cautious of my physical state. I didn’t participate in the things those around me did out of fear. I didn’t want to be disappointed again and allow my hips to hurt more than just my joints.
Meet Joseph, a 4 year old boy who calls Kazembe Orphanage home in northern Zambia. Last month we had the opportunity to be with him and 30 others. Joseph was born with one leg that is longer than the other. This doesn’t just cause him to be off balance. Down the road it will cause knee, hip and severe back problems. He probably doesn’t know this but I don’t think it would matter anyway.
Joseph ran around more than anyone else I met last month. We would play games and have obstacle courses and he would participate with just as much enjoyment and joy.
1 Corinthians 12 9-10 But he said to me, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For When I am weak, then I am strong.
This 4 year old boy with a limp convicted this 21 year old with a limp. In my weakness God’s power is more evident and means more. Joseph didn’t even know it, but by running around not letting his disability stop him. He was showing me God’s power and God’s provision and he didn’t even know it. A 4 year old boy with a limp ministered to me today. His name is Joseph and he did something for me that therapy and kind words couldn’t. He showed me that in my weakness God can be glorified and it is up to me to choose that and joy daily.
