john
I’m a 34 year old writer and editor, covering manufacturing and other midwest issues — such as the decline of Detroit and its struggle to rebuild. I live in Birmingham with my wife Kimberly, and two children, Jack and Evelyne. Greta, our brown lab, is also on the squad.
We attend the Church of the Holy Redeemer. I also teach journalism at Oakland University in Rochester. Pictured here with nieces — Rebecca and Lauren — and Jack.
John
God bless you and your family! I loved each and every word you wrote in this article,”Grant Road, tales from a little white building.” I’d like to share my perspection.
Expectation
I wept through the sermon on Sunday. As Fr. Kenneth spoke, I realized how bleak and weak my faith is. His word ushered me under the wings of my Savior.
I underwent two spinal fusion surgeries in the past year. Each day, I merely put one foot in front of the other, prayed for healing and purpose, vision too, but ultimately have been deemed disabled.
This past year I lived on grace and mercy from blood and spiritual family members. It was excruciating for me to ask for help. Was I too proud? Was I too ashamed? Aren’t these two emotions related? How did I end up here? I have worked two jobs at a time since I was 18 years old, but I was foolish in money management. Because of my sudden medical needs, I found myself unemployed, unwanted, homeless, desperate, with no transportation or tangible security.
My older sister, gave me her frustrated opinion and judgment of my dismal situation on a weekly basis, but then would have mercy and deposit monies into my account. Fr. Kenneth dipped into resources for me. Being incapacitated, I applied for state and federal assistance and prayedfor God’s will. Each month I worried how I would pay next months rent. Each night I anticipated that I may have to go into a shelter for a time. I found a family for one of my Shih Tsus, my dog Bailey. The Tanners took him in. But Chloe, his grandmother, I couldn’t bear the thought of giving her away. Chloe and I have been on an eleven year journey.
I held onto my “hope” that the Lord, who saw fit to keep me on this earth after a horrendous surgery, had a plan for me, despite the label the world would plaster on me. On Sunday, however, I realized my “Hope” isn’t the expectation Webster’s defines it as. My hopes have been merely wishes. I hadn’t truly believed during this dark episode. When I look back I can see God’s hand in the entire matter. May I forever be enlightened, dear Lord? Will you help me to know that You are truly Emmanuel? You are truly my Father who takes DELIGHT in me placing HOPE in YOU!
Expectation. Wow. How dare I expect anything from Almighty, Holy, Beautiful God? But He answers our prayers through others! We are to bear each others’ burdens. We are to be our brothers’ keepers. It is wonderful to be loved and cared for, knowing, that I too, can participate in giving, helping, sacrificing. Each day I focus on what I CAN do, not what I CAN’T. And when I struggle not to be sucked into a duldrum coma, watching Judge Judy or Raymond, I can open up the Living Word and find the Lord waiting patiently for me, eager to enlighten and renew my mind.I am truly blessed. Thank you John. Don’t give up on your friend. I know you won’t. It is so exciting, isn’t it?
p.s.
Thanks to our faithful Father, I received SSI and was able to repay everyone who helped me this past year. When I received these monies, I knew they werent mine. He is always ready to show us who we are and “whose” we are.