In the book “Chasing Daylight” Erwin McManus tells the a gut-wrenching story about being at the beach with his son. They see a paralyzed man on crutches making his way up from the beach. Erwin decides to walk the other way. His 10 year old son, Aaron,  turned away from him and went to help the man. To quote McManus:

“Several thoughts were racing through my mind. I had been caught was one of them. Yet at this point, it wasn’t that I was unwilling to go; it was just clear that this was Aaron’s moment. I had missed mine. His compassion had moved him to heroism. While Aaron seized his divine moment, I was stuck in a moment I couldn’t get out of.”

Yesterday after my surgery I was placed in a room with another man. The curtain in between us could not hide the sounds of pain, suffering and sadness on the other side. As I moved quickly from recovery to going home, I was a witness to someone less fortunate. While I cannot begin to explain my sincere appreciation for a quick and painless operation, I think I missed my moment. Today what hurts me more than stitches and soreness is the heartbreak that God gave me a chance. He gave me a moment. I missed it.

As frustrated as I am with myself, I wonder how God feels. He gave me an opportunity to live my favorite quote: “you can say what you think, but you will live what you believe“. I missed it. I had the opportunity to be Jesus to this man. I don’t know a thing about him. I don’t know his story. I just know that I am moved today by my lack of response. I had a moment and I missed it.

I’m leaving in a few minutes to go back to Riverside and visit this man. I pray that God would allow one more opportunity and forgive my lack of action. I pray that I haven’t missed my moment again.

Somewhere in the Middle” by Casting Crowns

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