My
name is Rob. I have been a part of Trinity’s fellowship for a
little over fifteen years. Most of my life story is as common as an
old shoe. I grew up in a Christian family with loving, committed parents
and six siblings, right here in Waterloo and Cedar Falls. We are still
a close and loving family. My church family at Trinity reminds me a
lot of the family in which I grew up. Close, loving, committed to, and
guided by a deep and abiding faith in the person and teachings of Jesus
Christ.
Where I really began to test the resources of my “families”
is in the last five years. Let’s just say that when I first heard
of the movie “Lemony Snickets - A Series of Unfortunate Events,”
I thought it was about me! It all began in May of 2000, one week after
my wife Tracey and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. I had
a bicycling accident in Wisconsin, incurring a broken collar bone, shoulder,
ribs, and a punctured lung, but I survived. Twelve weeks off work. One
year, one month, and three days later I was helping my brother-in-law
roof his garage and fell off. I broke my ankle, which required surgery.
Twelve weeks off work. Ten months later, I went to the doctor and was
diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, which is a tumor that resides in
a bundle of nerves near the brain stem. At least twelve weeks off work.
After nearly three years without mishap, I thought that I had finally
broken the cycle. But in January of 2005, I was hunting, stepped in
a snow-covered hole, and broke my leg and tore the tendons in my other
ankle. Twelve more weeks off work.
So what is God’s purpose for me in all of this? The easy answer
is, “I don’t know.” The real answer is, “I don’t
know…
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But God has blessed me through two families that
have loved me and cared for me during my times of personal crisis.
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But God has blessed me with the resources to weather
these hard times.
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But God has given me extended periods of time
to get to know Him better.
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But God has shown me His face through the love,
concern, and actions of His people.
Would I wish this experience on anyone else? Probably not. It has been
very hard on my family, employer, and especially my wife. And it has
been very hard on me! But has it been a rich experience? Yes!
Isaiah 40:31:
“Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They
shall rise up on eagles’ wings; they shall run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not faint.”
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