Living Illustration 2 - me
OK we are still in Puerto Rico and trying to encourage Paul Grabel - maybe now it’s relax time. No God says…you are still going to learn to practice what you preach. So we meet Gary and Laurie Hoyt. Pastors and Assistant Supt’s in Nebraska. Cool people…also brilliant.
Here’s the catch…Gary is a quadraplegic! Can you imagine. This handsome, sharp young man - with a lovely wife…and he is quadraplegic….and pastors and administrates and gets on with life. I mean they are at the conference. I am blown away. So God tells us to get to know them. And I don’t mean just say Hi! He says eat with them…help them out, etc. My friend Mark Lehman had already stepped up to the plate and reached out to them, and so we have a great time with these guys.
Here’s the deal - we find out the accident took place about 9 years ago and his 15 year old son was driving on his learners permit and rolls the car! His dad is in bad shape. God is in control. Even as I type this - I’m still processing. How is the son doing - I can’t imagine. How would my boys have done…how would I do if I was driving. Would my church stand behind me if I was quadraplegic? I think they would, but you wonder right. How about my wife? Sure she would, but you wonder. We all do.
So we spend quite a bit of time together chatting and once again I really hope Donna and I were an encouragement to them. I know they were to us. Thanks Gary and Laurie - you two are beyond belief.
Man I want to stand up right here in my office and give some people a standing ovation. To their church in Omaha - “clap- clap”. You have stuck with them…not abandoned them. To their son. What a tough journey. “clap-clap” I hear you are now telling your story in schools - may you win many to Jesus. And to Laurie, “clap-clap”. Pretty, godly, and loyal to husband, Lord and calling. Our lives are richer after this time together. And to you Gary…I pray for your healing too…but I know if you stay as you are - you will still knock it out of the park.
Thanks Lord for no rest in Puerto Rico…I can’t imagine what could have been more delightful than spending time with all these great people. Who needs sand and surf…when you can have meetings and friends.
