Get out of the boat… and walk!
If you are familiar with the Bible, then I’m sure one of the more familiar stories is Jesus’ encounter with Peter one night out on a lake. The winds and waves were buffeting the boat the disciples were in and suddenly they see what appears to be a ghost walking towards them on the water. Jesus speaks up and gives one of his more frequent commands – to all of us as his followers – by saying, “Don’t be afraid.” Whew. Not a ghost.
Then Peter, in one of the more brazen moves as a disciple, says “Jesus, tell me to come out to you on the water.” And Jesus simply says, “Come.” What an awesome invitation.
And next thing you know, Peter gets up off his seat in the boat, swings a leg over the edge and starts walking to Jesus. Of course, we know the story goes on to add a bit of terror and sinking to Peter’s story, but Peter did what many of us feel so paralyzed to do and that’s simply to stand up and walk… in faith.
Not to over-spiritualize the moment, but today was an exciting day as Cole was able to stand and walk. He didn’t have to leave a boat in the middle of a storm, but he did leave behind the safety of his wheelchair. So he’s gone vertical with the aid of his walker!
Now he is mobile, with his immobilizer and walker… and like Peter’s crazy courage, Cole is filled with the same spirit… much to his mother and I’s dismay at times! Because now that he is mobile on his own, we just have to be very careful that he doesn’t fall for risk of breaking his femur (since he has holes all the way through in a few places). And for those of you that know Cole… careful isn’t usually an adjective that lands in the same sentence with his name.
We were also able to take the dressing off and get our first look at the scar, but we’ll save you the pictures on that one!
Needless to say, we appreciate your prayers for his safety and healing. By God’s good grace, it’s been going far better than we anticipated! We’ve got a big month of healing ahead still, but he is making progress days by day and for that we are incredibly grateful!
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)