• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Ministry in Media
  • Ministry of Reconciliation
  • Ministry of Presence
  • Events
  Arthur Rouner Ministries

ARTHUR ROUNER MINISTRIES

When the Body Creaks

10/24/2020

1 Comment

 
There was a poem read back in my secondary school days, called “The Wonderful One-Hoss Shay.” It recorded, with humor, the likeness of the human body to the one-horse shay. The similarity, that made for the moral of the story, was that the one-horse shay didn’t just grow old and deteriorate, but that it tended to break down in every part, all at once.
 
As in “if it isn’t one thing, it’s another.” It’s what old folks are talking about when they quote the over used observation, “Well, old age is not for sissies.”
 
They are referring to the surprising, unexpected discovery they make that while it’s a kind of achievement to grow old, that “ripe old age” carries with it a multitude of aches and pains. Body parts wear out. Some have been overused. And when you come to the days of limited strength in your life show the wear and tear of the years.
 
I’m finding that in my life. As an old oarsman, I find backaches ever ready to move in and produce a dull ache for some hours. I find knees weakening, neuropathy numbing, arthritis shooting pain into certain joints, and old muscles diminishing. Sometimes, these observations come as signs of something going on interiorly. Things that hide in the dark of vital organs and come to light as diseases that need swift attention.
 
Praise God for good doctors. Thank heaven for nurses who attend needs like angels. They work together to analyze the body’s needs. They administer medicines – often, in the middle of the night. They make beds. They answer bells. They escort you to the bathroom. Nothing puts them off. Nurses who come from African countries often go right into the bathroom with you. They give understanding, and counsel. They heroically stand on the front lines of pandemics like the current one. Too often they sacrifice their own lives.
 
These people in white help you fight for your life. They cheer you on. They give courage. Some dare to pray. What a force for good they are.
 
Then, there are those in our world who become the great healers. The Christian healers. Who remember that Jesus said to those who believe, “the works that I do you shall do, and greater works will you do.” So there rise up the Agnes Sanfords, and the Kuhlmans, and the former priest Frances MacNutt and his wife and their vital healing ministry.
 
I had, as a young minister, a wonderful week with Agnes Sanford. She encouraged me to pray for sick people’s healing, with the laying on of hands. Strangely, people always welcomed that: How well I remember a former Confirmation student of mine, All-American hockey player, captain of a Stanley Cup winning team, overtaken by cancer, came home to fight the final battle, permitting me to pray for him at his hospital bedside. I held his left hand, nearest me, laid my right hand on his forehead, and prayed.
 
When I was done, he looked up to me with startled eyes, and especially looked wonderingly at his free hand. “Arthur, someone was holding my other hand while you prayed for me.”
 
Jesus was there. He knew. And gave his heart to Him anew.
 
Wonderful are the ways of faith and prayer in those times when our bodies hurt, and know we are under attack. Jesus comes, to stand with us, hold our hand and see us through.
 
And we deepen, and grow, and are made more ready to be one day, maybe soon, led home to that place of “many mansions” where Jesus promised to take us.
 
Bless you.
Arthur

1 Comment
Gretchen Catldon
11/5/2020 07:01:56 pm

God bless you, Arthur. I’m sorry you have to deal with so many aches and pains these days. Thank you for bringing us into your world through your writing and also for including that story of you praying for the hockey player. What an amazing moment you both experienced. The miracle of Immanuel.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Arthur A Rouner, Jr -
    Minister, Author, Leader of Forgiveness and Reconciliation Retreats, Minister of "Presence"

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. . ."
                                                                    2 Corinthians 5:18

Contact Us

>    Call the Faith Line for a daily message:  952-946-7987   <                                                                                    
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Ministry in Media
  • Ministry of Reconciliation
  • Ministry of Presence
  • Events