A Ministry in Disguise

If you know anything about my family, or me then you know that one of the most special, influential persons in my life is my younger brother Jonathan. Jonathan was born three months premature….on my second birthday….and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

A few weeks ago, Jonathan got the opportunity to visit and pray with a very special man in the hospital. During this visit, Jonathan asked Stanley if he could move his legs. Not able to respond or move his legs, Jonathan prayed specifically for Stanley’s legs. The very next day Stanley entered his eternal home in heaven. That day Stanley’s wife quoted, “My beautiful Stanley is in heaven today dancing with Jesus.” I’m not sure if this is exactly what Jonathan prayed for but what an awesome story…Jonathan prayed for Stanley’s legs and the very next day he was dancing with Jesus!

Jonathan has only questioned his condition once before in his whole life. My mother just replied with, “God made you special.” Jonathan was happy with this explanation and never questioned again. Well I guess the visit with Stanley stirred up his curiosity again. That next day Jonathan began to question why he could not move his legs. Mom again replied with, “God made you special.” However, this time that answer was just not enough for him. He began to pursue the issue more. So mom quoted Psalm 139:14….”I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Mom began to elaborate by talking about specific experiences Jonathan has had. My family is involved with the prison ministry through our church. Every Christmas, the group goes to the prison and passes out bags with items for each prisoner. Jonathan is always at the end of the line waiting to greet each one of the men. Mom reminded Jonathan that he is such as blessing to those men and they look forward to seeing him every year.

Jonathan’s response….”You mean like a ministry?”

Mom….”Yes.”

Jonathan….”I want to have a ministry!”

So my parents talked with our pastor, who in turn talked with the elders. So now Jonathan has a ministry of his own. Every Tuesday after Lions Club lunch, Jonathan goes to the 4^th floor of the hospital and visits with a very special lady from our church. He visits with her, ask how she is doing, and prays with/for her. How awesome is that!!!

But what Jonathan doesn’t understand is that he has been a ministry his whole life! He has been through so many trials in his lifetime. He has had several surgeries on his legs and hips to help release tension. He has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and started treatment. The treatment was so hard on his body he nearly stopped breathing. Then one day, by the grace of God, we were told the Hep C was not active and there was no damage to his liver. BUT through all the trials, Jonathan never question God’s plan or complained.

Jonathan is constantly touching the lives of others. He has been presented with sports memorabilia numerous times, whether it is local high school or professional. He was able to give his testimony to a group of high school football players at a local leadership conference. A friend of the family was in Boston where he met a firefighter. Jonathan was somehow mentioned in their conversations. Right then, the firefighter took the hat off his head to pass along to Jonathan. I know you are thinking ‘big deal…it’s just a hat’. Well this hat was made especially for these firefighters in memory of the 9-11 events. A stranger, never met, touched by Jonathan’s story passed along such a special, personal item. These are just a few instances when lives have been touched.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights….” James 1:17

This verse means a great deal to me! I do believe Jonathan is truly a gift from God and he is perfect – just the way God made him. So many times I have to remind myself Jonathan is a man, not a boy. He grows in Christ daily and continues to amaze me. One day Jonathan will be dancing in heaven with Jesus and Stanley. What a glorious day it will be when Jonathan will not only be a ministry to so many people, but also be able to use his legs!