Farther

It’s always bittersweet when memories of Michael pop up on Facebook. This image was three years ago when Michael had a hip replacement. It was a high-risk surgery because of Michael's size. In fact, there was only one surgeon in Atlanta willing to do it. This picture captures Michael’s first venture outside his room. What you can't see were the complications between surgery and this moment; the time in ICU, the extensive loss of blood that required transfusions, the multiple trips in his room scooting from the bed to a chair. Justin, his sweet physical therapist, was very encouraging and patient, not wanting to rush Michael. And that had worked fine for many days but not on this day. 

"I think it's time to take a walk outside the room, honey," I said. "That's alright, isn't it? I asked the PT.

“A few steps will be okay, but it depends on how he feels,” he cautioned. 

Now you may not agree with me here, but I knew my husband. I knew that because of the ordeal he had endured, it would be really easy for him to be cautious, perhaps too cautious. I knew what inspired my husband to act: the right kind of challenge, and to be just a little angry.

“C’mon, honey,” I said. “Let’s take a stroll down the hall.” I walked ahead of him and made it halfway down the hall and then leaned against the wall. As Michael emerged from the room, he saw me standing down the hall- further than he imagined, I’m sure. I think the smile on his face was probably the PT telling him he had a crazy wife.  Maybe I was crazy. Or maybe I just knew he had more in him. 

"Just make it to me, honey. And if you need the wheelchair to go back, I'll be happy to push you back," I said. I encouraged him as he started walking.

 “You better not keep moving,” he said, halfway teasing, halfway not.  I promised him I would stay put. 

 I knew it was hard for him, but I also knew he needed to get mobile. The complications and transfusions had him way behind where he should've been. I knew he was a little angry at me with each step he took, but when he looked up at me, he saw someone who believed in him.  “Just a little farther, honey,” I assured him. I knew my man could do it. Eventually, he reached me and got a huge hug and kiss!

 “Great job, honey! Let me go get the wheelchair!” I said. 

"No. I want to walk back," he declared.

Well, alrighty then, I thought. I winked at Justin, and walked back to the door of his room, turned around, and said, "I know you can do it." That day when I posted this picture, the caption I wrote was, "The incredible Michael Whitten ladies and gentlemen walked 96 steps today! His previous record was 8! He busted it by a long shot. Justin, the PT dude, was there for safety, but Michael did all the work! So proud!"

 What encourages you to go farther? 

Farther in your faith, farther in a relationship, farther in your education or in pursuing a dream?

For me, the answer is belief. I can tie every significant move forward in my life to a belief. I remember being on the journalism club in junior high school and having the teacher tell me I was a good writer. I remember my pastor (PK) affirming my calling to ministry- even though I was a woman, and a creative, and older than the average ministry student. I remember Michael, standing metaphorically at the end of a hall I was walking- breast cancer- and hearing him say he believed everything was going to be okay. 

I also have a spiritual mother who showed me what going farther in my spiritual walk looked like. “You have a prophetic gift,” she said, “It’s how God designed you, how He will grow you and use you.” That changed the trajectory of my walk with Christ. 

What discourages you from going farther?

Can you guess it? It’s belief.  What we believe about ourselves and our potential determines our farther. Our willingness to see God standing at the end of the “hospital hall” when the voices in our head say, “Do what’s comfortable.” Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I haven't found anywhere in the Bible where God says, "Take your time. If it feels good, do it!" There’s no room for faith in that! You are tying God’s hands!

 We have a “Farther Father.” He knows how far He wants to take us. He knows how much “far” He has put in us. He desires to strengthen us. And just like Michael's doctor, He is willing to risk on us because He knows the full and free life on the other side when we declare we will go farther!

 Ephesians 3: 14-21: For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches, he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.