A couple weeks ago, I had a wreck. I managed to drive the van to the collision center for repairs. And about eight hours after the wreck, I was in such pain that I decided to head to the emergency room. After waiting over nine hours for xrays, I was sent home with good news of no broken bones and two prescriptions.
During the days that followed, my Sunday School class prayed and followed up. What do I mean? They showed they cared by praying and by simply asking how I was doing and taking time to listen.
My recovery has been a journey. I have had pain nearly every day in expected places and some surprising ones: neck and shoulders, lower back and hips, both palms, and pinkie and ring fingers on my left hand (I had the steering wheel between them). Life has not stopped during the days that followed. I only missed one work day after the wreck.
Then on Sunday after the wreck I preached and led a Sunday School conference for a church just outside of Somerset. Preaching by standing mostly in one spot was painful. The conference after the meal was a bit easier due to moving around more–even though it was longer. The pastor called me the day after the wreck. When he found out I had been in a wreck, he offered to reschedule. I hoped I would be better by Sunday. He prayed and asked his congregation to pray for me. Several asked about me that day.
After the conference, my wife and I headed to Hampton, Virginia, to help our Navy son load up and move to Indiana (I did more driving than lifting). I am grateful for hired help to load and unload in Virginia and Indiana. If they had not been there, I would have forced myself to lift more.
The next Sunday I was able to return to our home church. There several in worship and then in Sunday School checked on me. Their interest was so encouraging. After two previous days with very little pain, Sunday was frustrating. I hurt all day. In fact, it was the next afternoon before I was surprised to discover the first relief from pain since Saturday.
Praying for each other matters. Care matters when you act it out. So voice your interest. Ask how people are doing. Listen–even if they take too long telling their stories. (Guilty!) We are all busy, but follow up really does matter! Make disciples. Be revolutionary!
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