I’m dedicating this post to the grandest of earthly companions, my wife, who’s gone everywhere with me since the start. Thank you, Gracious Lord, for the gift of Sandy. You know how much I needed her.
From South Rim Chamber & Travel public website.
Today marks 40 years I’ve been a paraplegic. That’s ten years from ‘Jubilee’ if you’re keeping score, but if you don’t mind, I’m going to party like it’s 2031.
Much of this blog site is dedicated to sharing my journey through disability and how God has faithfully shepherded me through it all. For 40 years I’ve been one of his broken sheep, hind legs dragging, but he has been my Good Shepherd. He coaxes and carries me along, through valley and vale, all the way home.
I’m now in my 60s, a far bleating from 21 when I still had youthful vigor and a ready-to-take-it-on bearing. Now I consider a good day when a Carolina wren or hummingbird comes to the feeder. I do other stuff too, but birds are my party jam these days. And I never tire of it.
We were going on a two-week road trip to the Grand Canyon a few weeks ago but somebody ended up in the hospital. [Me, I’m somebody.] It was going to be a celebration of life, milestones reached, and a long-time dream come true. And then somebody got a kidney stone, went septic, and nearly died. I’m still holding that against him.
Anyway, can you imagine a wheelchair on those ridges and cliffs?
Of course we scouted out the park before our proposed departure date, taking special note of the accessible views and attractions but still found them limited. While the national parks system tries to ensure everyone has a memorable time, the fact is there are lots of trails and views which folks with physical limitations can’t experience. Those spots aren’t for the feint of heart, however. Some are downright perilous. The narrow trails and sheer drop-offs are enough to give the most experienced hikers pause. But, oh the payoff!
For four decades I’ve been given views of God’s grace that make me shudder inside. I’ve heard the voice of the Grand Shepherd singing over me as I’ve fed in green pastures, played beside babbling brooks, and softly slumbered by quiet streams. He’s faithfully stood by and helped to navigate me over treacherous terrain and through starless nights of the soul. I’ve clapped my hands over my mouth — too many times to count — being witness to his magnificent mercies. He’s been so grand to me!
His love is the Grand Canyon and I’m an ‘able-bodied’ man standing on the pinnacle of the South Rim, watching the sun rise every day bringing with it new mercies and fresh grace. He takes me places I’ve never dreamt possible. Tenderly, he’s fed me from rations of sweet manna for forty years.
Jesus and me, we’ve crested such heights and plumbed depths so low you’d grow old before your time. He unfolds deep mysteries of sacred spaces and teaches me my life is a miracle.
Here is where I need to hit pause. None of this is because I’m special or his favorite. Even this has been all of grace. You’ve read enough of my journey by now to know these forty years have been a gift. I wouldn’t trade a day for anything I might have scripted for myself when i was 21. All praise to him.
Turns out, Sandy and I could’ve gone on the trip anyway as I’d pretty much recovered and begun to feel normal again. But COVID escalations in some of our trip’s plot points, added to my weakened immune system, and we were seeing yellow flags. So we’ve chosen to wait.
Herein lies another lesson of the broken road: disappointments down here remind us we are not supposed to feel entirely at home. The late Clive S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” Amen, Clive. The wait will be worth it all. So we wait in faith.
I’m living in Grace Canyon. My disability has been his mercy’s vaccine against a wasted life and I take my daily medicine with, at times, a pinch of salt. Sometimes it can be hard to swallow but it’s always what I need. I trust my Grand Physician. He knows best.
My sister texted me and asked what I’m doing to celebrate 40 years. Here’s what I’ll be doing: dancing on the rim of Mercy Rock and soaring skyward as the God of Grace meets me — yet again — with healing in his wings. Today marks 40 years but it feels more like ‘The Year of Jubilee.’ It’s been quite a trip.
Selah, beloved.
I would be so blessed if you would share me with your online communities! Thank you!
Thirty-one years ago this week Craig and I visited the Grand Canyon. The vastness of the views seemed like a painting as we tried to take it all in. The one thing we did that was so memorable was flying on Grand Canyon Airlines from the South Rim to the North Rim at sunset. The sun on the rock layers was spectacular to see. Praising the Lord with you for 40 years of God’s Amazing Grace !!! Keep soaring ! Malachi 4:2
40 years of you encouraging, pointing many to Christ. It can be said of you as Paul stated…”follow me as I follow Christ.”
Thank you for suffering well. I don’t say that lightly for I have watched your life aching for your healing.
One day in your unscuffed shoes is a path no one would sign up for. Yet we see you on that path for 40 years and Jesus flows from you like no other.
Will one day in his court be worth a thousand else where? Your life says yes….and I have be changed for it.
Thank you
I love you, Fred. I dearly love you. You’ve been a Barnabas to me and that one friend who can be woken from a dead sleep and, with a single arm in the air, rush to my side whenever I’ve needed you. You’re one of the most self-sacrificing, Jesus-like men I’ve ever known.
Dearest Beth, thank you for building me up in my most holy faith these many years. I’ve taken to heart each and every word of encouragement (there’ve been MANY!); you’ve blessed me for decades.
Your home in Grace Canyon has beckoned so many of us to take the hike and relish the views. Thank you for forty years of faithfulness declaring the Grand Canyon of His love. My life is forever changed by your journey.
And mine yours. So much love to you and Alan with the Mitchell’s deeply humbled thanks for every push, prod, and carry along the way. The four of us will get that GC trip soon…can’t wait!
Scott, I guess God wanted me to see this today. Glad to hear you are well again and still using the words that you are given to encourage others. It was a privilege to have had a small part of witnessing your journey in real time and that of Sandy, the Gilkesons, the Penns and the Grants who all appeared to be “all in “ with you. What a great testimony you have all lived out through the ups and downs of life.
Ah, Lynn! So honored and blessed by your comment here on the post. It was an absolute joy to be able to pastor you and your family those years. Thank you so much for adding a great deal of encouragement to my life. May the Lord bless and keep you in all your goings and comings!
Oh Joy, The JOY you bring! Thank you for these words and thank you for sharing in this adventure story these many years and sharing your own encounters with the goodness of God in the land of the living…I’ve always seen our smiling Jesus in you!
I didn’t know you had a blog until today! Hello, Pastor Scott – it’s Kimberly Rosenau/Thigpen from long ago days at New River. I’m so happy to see this wonderful ministry you have. What a blessing this post was. I, too, watch through my window and marvel at the little creatures God sends to rejoice my heart and teach me lessons of His provision and goodness. (Like watching those hummingbirds fight over “their” territory, pushing others away to keep what is bountifully provided by another, and would be continuously provided even if they shared with all – joyous supply, more than they need, could be enjoyed in peace and gratitude and unity, if only they would realize that another with unlimited resources was providing for them! How convicting to me, thinking of the peace I miss while I’m wasting energy trying to secure my own needs fearing the supply might run out.)
I’m sad that you’re missing out on your trip, but God bless you for using the opportunity to look toward eternal things. Our home really isn’t here – praise God! And our greatest victories and delights can never be found on this side. But I do hope God will open the way for you both to be able to go and see a hint of His beauty at the Grand Canyon soon.
It’s hard being shut down…again and again and again. Trying to work with what you’ve got, and then not even having that. I’ve been held up many times by Amy Charmichael’s words after she was bedridden with a broken back:
“The things I cannot do are looking in through my window now, beckoning me and calling me. And His comfort says to me, ‘But I am here in the room with you; I am nearer than those beckoning,
calling things. I come between them and you. You have nothing to do now but to please me.'”
Well, enough rambling. I’m so happy to be connected with you again. A big hello to Sandy, and may God bless and keep you both, may His face shine upon you, and may He continuously give you peace.
Big smiles,
Kim
Psalm 62:8
Oh my word! What a blessing and equal honor to read your comments…I’m honestly floored by the encouragement! So happy to reconnect with you Kimberly. You’ve been thought of and prayed for so many times through the years, starting with “Bang-the-dish” (Graham loved that!), through your trials of health and the prolific writing you’ve done. God has used you, girl! Sandy and I need to buy the whole set of your books and get you to sign them for us 🙌
The AC quote grabbed me big time. I’ve read many of her biographies and words; she’s one of my favorite saints to learn from. Thank you. I know you have learned the depth of those words and lean hard into them.
Again, it means so much to me personally that you took the time. Bless you guys!
Hi Scott,
We are so happy to see you are still blogging. We had lost track of you there for a short time. Someone let us know you have a blog. Thankful for you and Sandy and your love for our Savior. We always enjoyed our sweet times of fellowship with your parents and miss them so much. I never forget that the day we pack up our household belongs to move to Chattanooga – there were right there with us. That has been a few years ago! Our next move will be to our heavenly home and we look forward to that with great anticipation. We will continue following you until we meet again.
Oh my! How wonderful to see your comments and this joyful reconnection! Thank you so much for these kind, thoughtful, and beautiful sentiments and the memories we share. The Lord continue to bless you and Don and his peace be on your home always. Grateful for you both!
Thanks so much for visiting! Please join me again at the table of grace soon 🙂
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Thirty-one years ago this week Craig and I visited the Grand Canyon. The vastness of the views seemed like a painting as we tried to take it all in. The one thing we did that was so memorable was flying on Grand Canyon Airlines from the South Rim to the North Rim at sunset. The sun on the rock layers was spectacular to see. Praising the Lord with you for 40 years of God’s Amazing Grace !!! Keep soaring ! Malachi 4:2
40 years of you encouraging, pointing many to Christ. It can be said of you as Paul stated…”follow me as I follow Christ.”
Thank you for suffering well. I don’t say that lightly for I have watched your life aching for your healing.
One day in your unscuffed shoes is a path no one would sign up for. Yet we see you on that path for 40 years and Jesus flows from you like no other.
Will one day in his court be worth a thousand else where? Your life says yes….and I have be changed for it.
Thank you
I love you, Fred. I dearly love you. You’ve been a Barnabas to me and that one friend who can be woken from a dead sleep and, with a single arm in the air, rush to my side whenever I’ve needed you. You’re one of the most self-sacrificing, Jesus-like men I’ve ever known.
Dearest Beth, thank you for building me up in my most holy faith these many years. I’ve taken to heart each and every word of encouragement (there’ve been MANY!); you’ve blessed me for decades.
Thankful for you still being here among us. Thankful for your perspective on all things God.
Grace and peace brother
Thank you my kind friend…I dearly appreciate your sentiments and bless you in Jesus’s name!
Your home in Grace Canyon has beckoned so many of us to take the hike and relish the views. Thank you for forty years of faithfulness declaring the Grand Canyon of His love. My life is forever changed by your journey.
And mine yours. So much love to you and Alan with the Mitchell’s deeply humbled thanks for every push, prod, and carry along the way. The four of us will get that GC trip soon…can’t wait!
Scott, I guess God wanted me to see this today. Glad to hear you are well again and still using the words that you are given to encourage others. It was a privilege to have had a small part of witnessing your journey in real time and that of Sandy, the Gilkesons, the Penns and the Grants who all appeared to be “all in “ with you. What a great testimony you have all lived out through the ups and downs of life.
Ah, Lynn! So honored and blessed by your comment here on the post. It was an absolute joy to be able to pastor you and your family those years. Thank you so much for adding a great deal of encouragement to my life. May the Lord bless and keep you in all your goings and comings!
Take the trip. We hiked it all the way down and back about 10 years ago. Even with your earthly limitations no photo will ever do it justice.
That’s the plan! It’s just a postponement, thankfully. Going on the trip is unfinished business. Still taking a camera, though 🙂
What a a blessing. But you are a blessing got me and many others.
Blessings
Thank you so much, Sonya. The Lord bless you for such a kind word. God be with you and be gracious to you!
Now you got me all crying and everything, Scott.😉 Thank you for your tender words of great and powerful grace and hope in our Grand Shepherd.
Oh Joy, The JOY you bring! Thank you for these words and thank you for sharing in this adventure story these many years and sharing your own encounters with the goodness of God in the land of the living…I’ve always seen our smiling Jesus in you!
I didn’t know you had a blog until today! Hello, Pastor Scott – it’s Kimberly Rosenau/Thigpen from long ago days at New River. I’m so happy to see this wonderful ministry you have. What a blessing this post was. I, too, watch through my window and marvel at the little creatures God sends to rejoice my heart and teach me lessons of His provision and goodness. (Like watching those hummingbirds fight over “their” territory, pushing others away to keep what is bountifully provided by another, and would be continuously provided even if they shared with all – joyous supply, more than they need, could be enjoyed in peace and gratitude and unity, if only they would realize that another with unlimited resources was providing for them! How convicting to me, thinking of the peace I miss while I’m wasting energy trying to secure my own needs fearing the supply might run out.)
I’m sad that you’re missing out on your trip, but God bless you for using the opportunity to look toward eternal things. Our home really isn’t here – praise God! And our greatest victories and delights can never be found on this side. But I do hope God will open the way for you both to be able to go and see a hint of His beauty at the Grand Canyon soon.
It’s hard being shut down…again and again and again. Trying to work with what you’ve got, and then not even having that. I’ve been held up many times by Amy Charmichael’s words after she was bedridden with a broken back:
“The things I cannot do are looking in through my window now, beckoning me and calling me. And His comfort says to me, ‘But I am here in the room with you; I am nearer than those beckoning,
calling things. I come between them and you. You have nothing to do now but to please me.'”
Well, enough rambling. I’m so happy to be connected with you again. A big hello to Sandy, and may God bless and keep you both, may His face shine upon you, and may He continuously give you peace.
Big smiles,
Kim
Psalm 62:8
Oh my word! What a blessing and equal honor to read your comments…I’m honestly floored by the encouragement! So happy to reconnect with you Kimberly. You’ve been thought of and prayed for so many times through the years, starting with “Bang-the-dish” (Graham loved that!), through your trials of health and the prolific writing you’ve done. God has used you, girl! Sandy and I need to buy the whole set of your books and get you to sign them for us 🙌
The AC quote grabbed me big time. I’ve read many of her biographies and words; she’s one of my favorite saints to learn from. Thank you. I know you have learned the depth of those words and lean hard into them.
Again, it means so much to me personally that you took the time. Bless you guys!
And P.S. your photographs are gorgeous!!!
Well that just puts icing and a big fat cherry on top of it all! Humble thanks, dear one!
Hi Scott,
We are so happy to see you are still blogging. We had lost track of you there for a short time. Someone let us know you have a blog. Thankful for you and Sandy and your love for our Savior. We always enjoyed our sweet times of fellowship with your parents and miss them so much. I never forget that the day we pack up our household belongs to move to Chattanooga – there were right there with us. That has been a few years ago! Our next move will be to our heavenly home and we look forward to that with great anticipation. We will continue following you until we meet again.
Oh my! How wonderful to see your comments and this joyful reconnection! Thank you so much for these kind, thoughtful, and beautiful sentiments and the memories we share. The Lord continue to bless you and Don and his peace be on your home always. Grateful for you both!