Now may the God of hope fill you with all\u00a0joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope\u00a0by the power of the Holy Spirit.\u00a0\u00a0(Romans 15:13, NASB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You have ALS.” The neurologist’s words were direct and almost matter-of-fact. It was a sucker punch to the gut. A bucket of ice water dumped over my head. A neurologist at the VA said, “She dumped a load of bricks in your lap.”\u00a0 I was in shock. My wife Sue, seated on a couch behind my transport chair, must have been as well. She was out of my view, but the doctor looked at her, then passed a box of tissues past me to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until then, we thought the neurological condition I had was treatable and curable. But in that moment I received a death sentence. Had I been on death row I’d be considered a “dead man walking.” But I was no longer walking and I had taken my last steps some time ago. I considered myself a Dead Man Not Walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A million (well, a thousand) thoughts went through my mind in the next few minutes and into the night. How much longer do I have? How will I die? What will happen between now and then? What about my plans? What hope is there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/em>Sue and I had plans: Traveling to see our kids; a cruise to Alaska; lots of golf together and with friends after retirement in a couple more years (OK, I’m a lousy golfer, so maybe it’s best that one went away). Old Yiddish proverb: We plan, and God laughs. I realized soon that despite my best plans, God would override them. I would have to trust that no matter what would happen to me, His plan is far better for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since my diagnosis a little over three years ago, I’ve lost total use of my limbs; I’ve had a tracheostomy and am now 100% reliant on a ventilator to breathe; and I’m no longer able to safely eat or drink for fear of aspirating the food and drink into my lungs. I’ve gone from a fully functional human being (some will question that) to one not capable of any physical action. Is there hope? If so, how and why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have to tell you that my hope is in the Lord. I’m a sinner saved by the grace of God though the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. Because of His mercy toward me, I have the hope of eternal life, a home in heaven in the presence of the Lord. I have hope in healing because of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. If you, like me, have ALS, some other terminal disease, or you’re in some other situation that seems hopeless, you too can find hope by placing your faith and trust in Jesus Christ! Accept God’s most precious gift: His Son.\u00a0\u00a0A line from the old hymn: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hope has a name: His name is Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Worship:\u00a0My Hope<\/em>, Hillsong Worship, featuring Darlene Zschech<\/p>\n\n\n\n