tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post5517778249764358569..comments2023-10-31T09:21:18.317-04:00Comments on wonders never cease: Jerry, Grace, and RosemaryRebecca Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14851717214205302476noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-28801050748216979832010-08-11T12:24:46.024-04:002010-08-11T12:24:46.024-04:00Amy, Laura, Karyn & Steve, thanks for your tho...Amy, Laura, Karyn & Steve, thanks for your thoughtful comments. I just got back from another visit with Jerry and others and had read what you wrote before I left. Jerry is indeed all about being real. It's all he can be-which is a gift to those who know him.<br />Steve, I always picture myself as one of those walking by. Thanks for making me remember I'm also the one in the ditch. It's true & certainly the way God sees me.Rebecca Ramseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14851717214205302476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-12392817211285989432010-08-11T09:52:57.273-04:002010-08-11T09:52:57.273-04:00This was a beautifully written post, Becky.
It...This was a beautifully written post, Becky.<br /><br />It's interesting that his brokenness is right there at the surface and he doesn't try to hide it. Of course, he couldn't hide it if he tried. It's a good reminder that we are all broken in some way, even if we try to hide it, even if we hide it from ourselves.<br /><br />I was recently reminded of this a few weeks ago when the scripture reading was the good Samaritan parable. How many times have I heard that story and seen myself as the Samaritan instead of the man in the ditch? We are all the man in the ditch, but called to be *like* the Samaritan. Sometimes I focus so much on the call to be like the Samaritan that I forget my own brokenness and need for help that only Jesus can provide. Thanks for the reminder!stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14045516539837579240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-79244518516213201802010-08-10T23:20:38.832-04:002010-08-10T23:20:38.832-04:00It's so hard to allow that hurt to be right on...It's so hard to allow that hurt to be right on the surface and give God the opportunity to work with and even comfort it. Very touching Rebecca.Karynhttp://delicatefortress.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-67502471587806388632010-08-10T17:12:04.869-04:002010-08-10T17:12:04.869-04:00Oh, to trust God like a child. I simply love the i...Oh, to trust God like a child. I simply love the idea. He's our Abba Father.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing Jerry's stories. I smiled and chuckled and cried, too.Laura@OutnumberedMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10764574855540659528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-67430654579112625962010-08-09T19:08:15.069-04:002010-08-09T19:08:15.069-04:00If only we could all feel like Jerry feels. Oh, to...If only we could all feel like Jerry feels. Oh, to be that real. Real enough to tell a stranger we have scratchy underwear, and then real enough to truly share our heart.<br /><br />The idea of coming to God as a child is so comforting to me. It means I don't have to pretend to be anything because God already knows.Amy Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03571083038560430815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-52782785356512030802010-08-09T15:33:45.038-04:002010-08-09T15:33:45.038-04:00I'm loving each of your experiences with story...I'm loving each of your experiences with story lovers and your thoughts about coming to God as a child. <br />Really beautiful.<br /><br /><br />Revhipchick, some days I'm a better listener than others. I don't always feel like listening to the same story I've heard 50 times before. I'll try to get him onto a different track, but sometimes he won't be moved. Those times I repeat to myself that the Meals on Wheels folks are probably the only ones he talks to all day. That helps, most of the time!<br /><br />Susan, tears are good. I try not to hold mine back, at least in private. They're unspoken prayers that need to get out.<br /><br />GG, I certainly agree. That's what I love about MOw. My clients seem to take turns being Jesus in disguise.<br /><br />Kat, yep, I'm so glad that that's all there is to it. But sometimes it seems the simplest things are the hardest for human nature. I keep at it. Reminders like Jerry help.<br /><br />Jenny, I think that's what's so great about retreats. I don't get them often, but they are great for setting me on the course.<br /><br />Heidi, Jerry is like that about dates. He can tell you exactly when things happened five or twenty years ago--both important things like the death of his parents, and other things, like 8 years ago, when a neighbor stole his newspaper. And he's so interested in my family too. I remember once I told him that I couldn't talk long (listen long) because Ben was sick. (He was home sick, but I also had a headache and wasn't up to it.) Before I'd left the driveway, he was on the phone, putting his name in the prayer chain, as he promised he would!<br /><br />Tracie, that's a very interesting way to put it. I'm trying hard these days to welcome the child in others. I'm hoping it will rub off on me too!Rebecca Ramseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14851717214205302476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-28196173748784462872010-08-09T14:36:57.021-04:002010-08-09T14:36:57.021-04:00I think that I often go to God as a child...but I ...I think that I often go to God as a child...but I go to His people as an adult, sure of myself not needing anything, not wanting anyone to see the cracks in my adult facade. <br /><br />Progress will be the moment that I can come as a child to His people as well.....be open to not only giving comfort, but also receiving. Trusting that they will respond to me in love, and trusting that if they don't respond to me that way-God hasn't changed.Tracie Nallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908908021649000930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-32691106177613795772010-08-09T14:23:15.413-04:002010-08-09T14:23:15.413-04:00There are 4 men who live in our little town -- all...There are 4 men who live in our little town -- all brothers, living together under the guardianship of a brother and sis-in-law down the street, all 4 with some sort of developmental disability, some a bit more so than others, all 4 just delightful people! Jerry reminds me of them. These guys help neighbors with odd jobs (with quite a bit of supervision). One of them graduated high school with some assistance/tutoring and now discusses John Grisham books with me (but, I gather, tries to skim over "the h word" and other profanity!). He is also the laundry-doer and cook of the household. When you meet these guys on the street, 2 of them can engage with you about little else besides the weather and sports -- yet they know ALL the players' names, numbers, bios, achievements -- all the scores and trades and injuries that have ever (it seems) happened! They are also the most friendly guys you'd ever meet -- asking after my kids whenever they see me, expressing sorrow over a neighbor's sickness or death. Some (including their guardian-brother, I believe) don't see them for their A-bilities, but only for their DIS-abilities. I just think they are the very face(s) of Jesus among us.Heidi Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08396555580687672395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-2056040607868573192010-08-09T13:32:13.039-04:002010-08-09T13:32:13.039-04:00childlike faith....how beautiful. How long it has...childlike faith....how beautiful. How long it has been since I have run to Him with arms wide open. Thank you for the reminder rebecca..the very touching reminder.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01178225907455093962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-19734543108305870352010-08-09T12:48:58.672-04:002010-08-09T12:48:58.672-04:00Coming to God as a child is just the most comforti...Coming to God as a child is just the most comforting thing I can think of. It just gives me warm fuzzies all over. I hope I can always hold that image in my mind.<br /><br />Thank you for such a beautiful, sad story. It really does show Jerry's faith. And what a blessing. :)Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14339665205284492242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-42548066347772005022010-08-09T12:34:41.819-04:002010-08-09T12:34:41.819-04:00Jerry's faith is EXACTLY how we're suppose...Jerry's faith is EXACTLY how we're supposed to have it--childlike and honest and from the heart. Thanks for reminding me that I'm not in control, (I have a tendency towards pride) that God's in the driver's seat--regardless of what happens. I'm supposed to rest in him and have faith in those promises.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-21747149733012459062010-08-09T10:40:54.275-04:002010-08-09T10:40:54.275-04:00Coming to God as a child. For me, it is just knowi...Coming to God as a child. For me, it is just knowing something is true, without having to explain how. For me it's just something that I feel inside. For me it just...is.<br /><br />My husband and I both cry. It's a good thing. Thanks for sharing Jerry's stories with us.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05293768327215520595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-47021017379120315232010-08-09T09:32:51.995-04:002010-08-09T09:32:51.995-04:00beautiful. absolutely beautiful.
thank you, i lo...beautiful. absolutely beautiful.<br /><br />thank you, i love a women who doesn't always feel like a blessing because i've heard her stories over and again. lately, i've not been so appreciative of her stories but your sharing of Jerry's stories, remind me of the first few times i listened to hers.<br /><br />banana-hogging Rosemary. your writing is superb! thank you for touching my heart today!revhipchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02219279071342600887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6272729178612778511.post-31310406093003904192010-08-09T09:25:43.313-04:002010-08-09T09:25:43.313-04:00PS. Names were changed, of course.
:)PS. Names were changed, of course.<br />:)Rebecca Ramseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14851717214205302476noreply@blogger.com