I Can Do This

Wow.

There have been a number of times during the past seven weeks when “Wow” was the only reaction I could verbalize. Monday was such a day.

We spoke on Sunday at a historic church in Jackson, Ms. Afterward, a lady approached and asked if I’d do the same presentation Monday morning for Grace Place, their homeless ministry.

This was a tough-looking crowd. You expect that from seventy-five guys who spent a cold night in the streets. They showed up for a hot meal and a safe place to rest for a few hours, and some stranger with a weird bike wants to tell them about hope.

A few guys dozed—I’d probably sleep, too, after shivering through a night of fear and uncertainty. But as I began I found many eyes locked on the screen. It felt like they were searching for something they could embrace.

There’s a particular story I tell often when I speak. I’ve written about it before, so please forgive me if this is a repeat for you.

* * * * *

Leonard was tired of my endless complaining. More than a year after my accident I still invested more energy in seeking sympathy than working to get better. He was sick of my lousy attitude.

Leonard was the latest in a series of physical therapists who tried to help me adjust to life with paralysis. We had an unspoken agreement: they worked hard while I complained and made excuses for not working at all. Leonard tolerated this unproductive waste of his time for a few weeks, but as he got to know me his patience diminished.

Readers of Relentless Grace will recognize Leonard’s role in a particularly humorous and pivotal episode. However, his gruff wisdom impacted the unlikely outcome in many ways. One bit of insight altered my entire perspective on my injury.

One day as I complained about the physical tasks I couldn’t accomplish with my damaged body, he stopped and sat down in front of me with a blank sheet of paper. On one side he drew a circle around “10,000.” He said, “I want you to imagine that this circle represents all of the things you could do before your accident.”

Then he turned the paper over and drew a similar circle with a pie-shaped wedge removed. “You just lost a lot of things, and you may never get many of them back. But now you need to make a decision.

“You can spend the rest of your life griping about the two thousand things you lost, or you can focus on the eight thousand that remain.”

* * * * *

I asked if anyone had ever lost something. Every person in the room—except the sleeping guys—raised a hand.

I told them how I let my loss define me for a long time. I was the guy who couldn’t …

“Has that happened to you?” Again, every hand went up.

“How would it be different if you focused on what you CAN do instead of what you can’t?”

They got it. You could see it in their eyes.

I talked a lot about how it isn’t easy, there’s no magic solution, it ain’t going to change overnight. Then I asked if they thought my ride was easy.

“If an old, bald, crippled guy can do this ride, what can you do?”

We finished. Guys began to move around, look at the bike. One big man in a green sweatshirt walked directly toward me. I could see tears streaming down his cheeks. He leaned over and gave me a huge burly hug.

With his head next to mine he whispered, “I can do this.”

He stood and shook my hand, struggling to blink away the tears. In a strong, clear voice he repeated, “I can do this.”

Then he turned and strode out of the room.

Wow.

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14 thoughts on “I Can Do This

  1. Marlene - November 4, 2011

    Thanks so much for sharing you journey. God’s ways are always higher than ours and not always obvious but He encourages us to join Him where He is working. Good job being available to be used by God!!!

  2. […] But once in a while something happens that makes it all worthwhile. One such event occurred earlier this week. Please read about it here. […]

  3. Mike Walz - November 3, 2011

    The big guy in the green sweatshirt is why God wanted you two to do this ride.

    Mike and Linda

  4. jim haywood - November 2, 2011

    Rich and Becky, you guys are making my wife cry. This has been a great trip. It has been a trip blessed by God. Thanks, Jim and Sharman

  5. Roger Hageman - November 1, 2011

    That is so cool Rich and Becky. That is so cool. Thanks! I wish I could be there with you. God Bless

  6. Laura McLellan - November 1, 2011

    Wow! What an impact! You can do this Rich! We can all do this…this life! Thanks for your dedication and encouragement. Way to go Rich! Keep it up!

  7. Gary and Vicki Bamford - November 1, 2011

    Rich,
    Your spiritual and physical journey continue to inspire us here in Colorado!
    Gary and Vicki

  8. Mary Yocum - November 1, 2011

    I have tears running down my cheeks—–you are an inspiration.

    Mary

  9. Leslie - November 1, 2011

    As Missions & Outreach Director, Grace Place, the place Rich visited yesterday, is where I am blessed to spend my mornings. I know the perrson who gave the burly hug Rich refers to. He is one Galloway invested in, thru Change of Heart Ministries, where we sponsor an individual wanting drug/alcohol treatment. It didn’t go as “I” planned. This man had a psychotic snap during his treatment, was hospitalized and never went back to treatment, less than two weeks into the 6 week commitment. I personally struck it up as a failure, but maybe God has bigger plans for this man than I could ever dream. He stayed gone for quite awhile, and recently has reappeared. Fortunately, in time to hear Rich and his story of hope! For our Grace Place guest-HOPE resored! For me, lessons of trust …made new every day!

  10. Mehgan - November 1, 2011

    This one brought me to tears. Thanks, Rich.

  11. MK - November 1, 2011

    WOW is right sentiment… so is solid, amazing, etc

  12. Marita - November 1, 2011

    Rich, there is a reason this place where you spoke is called Grace Place. I believe every place where we offer the love of God and an honest witness to our faith is the place where grace happens in ways we may never see or hear. You got the bonus of hearing “I can do this” whispered in your ear yesterday! That is an encouraging word to help you push the bike another mile down the road. Thank you for sharing the whisper with us.

  13. Becky - November 1, 2011

    Wow…we can do this!
    Rich, this ride that we have shared together: “Rich’s Ride, Together on a Journey of Hope”, has been unbelievable. I am grateful to you for showing me Relentless Grace every day of this journey. I say, let’s keep going…do you want to keep going another 1500 miles?

    1. Rich - November 1, 2011

      Not sure about 1500 miles right now…but let’s keep going together wherever.

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