With A Limp

Last fall a Canadian couple was surprised the first day a wounded fox limped right up to the front door of their trailer. They had never seen a red fox up close. Over the next several days the surprise morphed into familiarity. The critter they nicknamed “Red” became a daily visitor. The fox was obviously hurting. He was walking on three legs with the fourth being painfully swollen.

The couple had heard warnings about feeding wild animals. Wildlife officials warned that if humans fed animals they will become dependent on humans and lose their ability to survive. But since Red was hurting and unable to fend for himself, they fed him a package of wieners, some raw meat, and a variety of leftovers.

As the weeks went by they could see Red’s health improving. His limp was not as pronounced. His coat grew thick and lustrous. Maybe it was their imagination, but they actually thought his eyes seemed brighter. Red looked happier (if you can call a fox happy).

Recently the couple again was taken by surprise, this time when Red showed up with a friend. The silver fox accompanying Red appeared younger and was a beautiful color but painfully hobbled on three legs. Red knew what it was like to be hurt and he knew where to get help. So when his friend began limping, he knew just where to take him.

It’s a familiar story to Christians. We experience hurt and painfully limp around wondering how we are going to survive. And so we limp into church. At church we find people who ignore the warnings about getting involved in people’s problems and thoughtfully reach out to care for us. They love us. They pray for us. They give us counsel. They become to us the healing hands of Jesus. We survive. We begin to get back that spring in our step.

And one day when we notice a friend limping we know just what to do.

God was willing to get involved in our lives — even sending His Son to die for us. So we should be willing to get involved in the lives of those who are limping around in pain. As people of God we need to be concerned about helping others bear their pain. Some people warn us not to get involved. Sometimes the wounded bite the hands that try to feed them. Regardless of opposition or rejection, the church needs to be a place where people can limp in and find welcome acceptance.

After all, we all walk with a limp, don’t we?

— Bob Clark

** Based on numerous news accounts of the story of Bob and Shirley Tompkins

1/25/2005