Mary DeMent's Thoughts: Eleven Years Later
Another Walk through a Wilderness Experience
Monday, April 02, 2007
Another day,
Have you've ever walked thru one of life's wilderness experiences in your Christian journey? Perhaps you wished you could pick up a book or call a friend and find reassurance that you can make it to the other side of the forest. How about finding both answers in one source? Let me tell you about a book written with such honesty and transparency that you feel the author is connecting with you as a close and trusted friend---sharing his most intimate struggles and relating them to your own. Changing My Mind is a powerful account of one man's struggle with an illness that would impact his entire life and the lives of every person close to him. It's also a story of hope, encouragement and victory.
Here is what I recall when I first heard of Chris' illness:
Deb's call roused me from my newlywed slumber. "Did I wake you?" "No," I stretched. "Just returning your call about the book you asked about." "Oh," I yawned.
"We have it and you can borrow it." She continued. "Okay, whenever is fine." I yawned further. Then, her tone changed. "You heard about Chris, right?" "No, what about Chris?" My yawning ceased, my posture changed. "He's in the hospital. They don't know what is wrong." She said. My brain alerted my body to rise. My Pastor's wife now had my full attention. A casual call had turned into a day changer.
Most of the phone call is a blur. But, two phrases remain: "He can't remember" and "they won't allow visitors."
I couldn't even imagine what Debbie must be going through. I clutched my husband Bill's hand.
My thoughts raced. Can't remember? Can't remember. Can't remember what? What he had for breakfast? Where he went on vacation? The man that never used sermon notes. The man who knew every name and number of those in his congregation now knew nothing? Then, my worst fears surfaced. What if he can't remember who I am? What if he can't remember conversations we've shared? What if, this pastor, friend, brother I never had, who just three months ago walked me down the aisle and gave me away to my groom, didn't have a clue I existed. My heart sank.
I had to know. But, I couldn't go. No visitors. No visitors? Was he that unstable? I had to know. So, I went. Not that day, but later. I took a chance. Maybe no one would be there and I could see for myself. I saw familiar faces. But not his. Our Associate Pastor and his wife stood in the hallway. They gave me an update. It was nothing new. I knew nothing. Chris knew less.
A week later the phone rang. When I heard his voice on the other end, I put my hand over the receiver. I whispered to Bill, "It's Chris." He told me he wasn't supposed to make calls but he was making them. His rebellion told me that at least a portion of his personality was in tact!
The conversation was short but it seemed long as I waited. I waited for a sign. I waited for a phrase. I waited for something; anything that would tell me that Chris remembered Mary. And then I smiled. I can't recall what he said. But, I knew that he knew me. The wait was over.
That was eleven years ago. The disease of encephalitis changed my friend. Some say for the better. Some aren't so sure. One thing is for sure. He is changed. God changed Chris Maxwell. And God is using the "new" Chris Maxwell like never before. He's bold, yet meek. He's confident, though not of himself any longer. He is confident in God alone.
"The calendar called it March 1996. My body chose a different march, a lonely march, a march rushing me into unfamiliar territory. The journey of encephalitis crushed me." -Chris Maxwell, in Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy
We've all been crushed haven't we? May you take comfort in knowing that we serve a God who is painfully familiar with suffering. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV).
To help you understand that truth as it relates to your own struggles, and to give you an opportunity to help others accept the love of God during their suffering, why not buy a copy, or two copies, or three copies of Changing My Mind? Maybe you've never read the book. Now is the time. Order it through Amazon.com or call Life Springs at 1-800-541-1376.
Most of us can think of people who need the honest encouragement Chris brings in Changing My Mind. Why not bless those people with a copy of this inspiring book? As a unique incentive and "thank-you" for those ordering two or more books, we'd like to send you a portion of Chris' story that didn't make it to print.
Thank you and may God richly bless your life as you bless those you encounter who would benefit from hearing this story of hope, encouragement and victory.
Sincerely,
Friend and writer, Mary DeMent
p.s. Please send me confirmation of your order of two or more copies and I will personally email you the "bonus" portion of Changing My Mind. maryment@bellsouth.net
Along the way,
Mary DeMent
Monday, April 02, 2007
Another day,
Have you've ever walked thru one of life's wilderness experiences in your Christian journey? Perhaps you wished you could pick up a book or call a friend and find reassurance that you can make it to the other side of the forest. How about finding both answers in one source? Let me tell you about a book written with such honesty and transparency that you feel the author is connecting with you as a close and trusted friend---sharing his most intimate struggles and relating them to your own. Changing My Mind is a powerful account of one man's struggle with an illness that would impact his entire life and the lives of every person close to him. It's also a story of hope, encouragement and victory.
Here is what I recall when I first heard of Chris' illness:
Deb's call roused me from my newlywed slumber. "Did I wake you?" "No," I stretched. "Just returning your call about the book you asked about." "Oh," I yawned.
"We have it and you can borrow it." She continued. "Okay, whenever is fine." I yawned further. Then, her tone changed. "You heard about Chris, right?" "No, what about Chris?" My yawning ceased, my posture changed. "He's in the hospital. They don't know what is wrong." She said. My brain alerted my body to rise. My Pastor's wife now had my full attention. A casual call had turned into a day changer.
Most of the phone call is a blur. But, two phrases remain: "He can't remember" and "they won't allow visitors."
I couldn't even imagine what Debbie must be going through. I clutched my husband Bill's hand.
My thoughts raced. Can't remember? Can't remember. Can't remember what? What he had for breakfast? Where he went on vacation? The man that never used sermon notes. The man who knew every name and number of those in his congregation now knew nothing? Then, my worst fears surfaced. What if he can't remember who I am? What if he can't remember conversations we've shared? What if, this pastor, friend, brother I never had, who just three months ago walked me down the aisle and gave me away to my groom, didn't have a clue I existed. My heart sank.
I had to know. But, I couldn't go. No visitors. No visitors? Was he that unstable? I had to know. So, I went. Not that day, but later. I took a chance. Maybe no one would be there and I could see for myself. I saw familiar faces. But not his. Our Associate Pastor and his wife stood in the hallway. They gave me an update. It was nothing new. I knew nothing. Chris knew less.
A week later the phone rang. When I heard his voice on the other end, I put my hand over the receiver. I whispered to Bill, "It's Chris." He told me he wasn't supposed to make calls but he was making them. His rebellion told me that at least a portion of his personality was in tact!
The conversation was short but it seemed long as I waited. I waited for a sign. I waited for a phrase. I waited for something; anything that would tell me that Chris remembered Mary. And then I smiled. I can't recall what he said. But, I knew that he knew me. The wait was over.
That was eleven years ago. The disease of encephalitis changed my friend. Some say for the better. Some aren't so sure. One thing is for sure. He is changed. God changed Chris Maxwell. And God is using the "new" Chris Maxwell like never before. He's bold, yet meek. He's confident, though not of himself any longer. He is confident in God alone.
"The calendar called it March 1996. My body chose a different march, a lonely march, a march rushing me into unfamiliar territory. The journey of encephalitis crushed me." -Chris Maxwell, in Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy
We've all been crushed haven't we? May you take comfort in knowing that we serve a God who is painfully familiar with suffering. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV).
To help you understand that truth as it relates to your own struggles, and to give you an opportunity to help others accept the love of God during their suffering, why not buy a copy, or two copies, or three copies of Changing My Mind? Maybe you've never read the book. Now is the time. Order it through Amazon.com or call Life Springs at 1-800-541-1376.
Most of us can think of people who need the honest encouragement Chris brings in Changing My Mind. Why not bless those people with a copy of this inspiring book? As a unique incentive and "thank-you" for those ordering two or more books, we'd like to send you a portion of Chris' story that didn't make it to print.
Thank you and may God richly bless your life as you bless those you encounter who would benefit from hearing this story of hope, encouragement and victory.
Sincerely,
Friend and writer, Mary DeMent
p.s. Please send me confirmation of your order of two or more copies and I will personally email you the "bonus" portion of Changing My Mind. maryment@bellsouth.net
Along the way,
Mary DeMent
2 Comments:
I have read Changing My Mind, more than once, and like Mary DeMent said, it brings hope and encouragement to continue the journey no matter what we must go through.
Thanks. I love the book and hearing him speak. More people need to hear what he is saying.
Post a Comment