We had Abel, and his aunt, May, over to our church for Easter. If you had watched this series about some extraordinary lives on tv, you may recall the story of this man, who used to be a celebrity hairdresser. Beaten up and left half dead by a drunk caucasian at a usual late night party.
I didn't think much of it when I saw his story back then. But now, seeing him standing up there sharing, it was a humbling process.
Overnight, through an un-provoked incident, he lost everything. If it was just his celebrity stylist status, it may have been easier to adapt. Putting up with the loss of normal functions to eat, drink and dispose of bodily waste, as well as his speech ability, may have well been devastating, but possibly made bearable with the presence of family support. But to have family members seeing you as a liability, and stealing the grant of $50k in support fee and disappearing and abandoning you.....how many of us would be able to stand in light of all these?
Apparently, it baffled the doctor who treated Abel as well, to see the impossible miracle of him sitting up. I wonder if he got the chance to know that he's able to walk and talk now.
Aunt May is amazing. To be able to accept what others see as a wreck in life, and to humbly admit she started off with the concern over money as a push factor. It would have been easier for her to surrender Abel over to the old folks' home. But it seems that she knew something about this thing called unconditional love way back then, which I as a christian stinge on many a times. What a shame huh? I guess through it, she found no greater reward, than the eternal life and enablement from Him.
But still, nothing beats what I finally got to see that day.
A man who gave thanks to God for what happened, so that he wouldn't missed out what was learnt and gained along the way. A man who forgave an unwarranted wrong done against him. A man, considered an 'invalid' by society, singing 'Give Thanks' with all his heart.
I finally got to see....what it looks like, for a man who literally lost everything, who has the 'right' to wallow himself up in anger, resentment and devastation, standing with what he has. He doesn't curse, he doesn't whine or complain, nor does he shake his fist at God....but he sings. And my, does it look and sound beautiful.
Oft at times, I find my own heart and voice held back from singing, because I don't feel like it or unable to. Yet here is a down-trodden man standing infront of me, teaching me to give thanks wholeheartedly. I wonder....who is the 'invalid' here?
This is what it looks like, for a man to encounter and be softened by grace at his lowest point. Humbling indeed.
Maybe this is how David looks like, writing psalms in the midst of wilderness. Or Joseph in his prison, acknowledging that 'You know better than I'. It may not be too far off, from Job's refusal to "curse God and die" in the face of his losses.
And like all of them, I hope I'll never let go of this image caught in my mind. Couldn't resist going up to him after the service and thank him, for his sharing that he is Abel, and He is able.
Heh and oh yeah, did I mention, he caught all the notes tightly and sang very well?
=)
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[Grace] - Michael W. Smith
I was lost when You found me here
You pulled me close and held me near
And I'm a fool but still You love
I'll be a fool for the King of love
You gave me wings so I could fly
And gave me a song to color the sky
And all I have is all from You
And all I want is all of You
It's grace, grace
I'm nothing without You
Grace, your grace
Shines on me
And there've been days when I've walked away
Too much to carry, nothing left to say
Forgive me Lord when I'm weak and lost
You traded heaven for a wooden cross
And all these years you've carried me
You've been my eyes when I could not see
And beauty grows in the driving rain
Your ode of gladness in the times of pain
It's grace, Your grace
I'm nothing without You
Grace, Your grace
Your grace, Your grace
I'm nothing without You
Grace, Your grace
Shines on me oh yeah
Shines on me, shines on me
I'm everything with you
Shines on me, shines on me
It's your graceShines on me
Your grace
Oh Your grace it shines on me
Your grace
Your grace
Shines on me
Shines on me
Your grace it shines on me
Your grace