I have a confession to make.
I am not normal.
I build websites for a living. I love photography. I am a husband to a beautiful woman. A father to an amazing son.
There are a lot of things that I am. Normal is not one of them.
And, no, it is not because I am a dwarf, standing at a whopping 4 feet, 6 inches tall. (Okay, so I am really 4’5”, but 6 sounds way better, doesn’t it?)
It is not because of the 20+ surgical procedures I have endured, or the few brushes with death throughout my lifetime.
None of that.
It’s simple, really. I chose not to be.
As a teenager, I realized that I could live my life one of two ways. View myself as the victim of circumstance, become bitter about the hand I was dealt. I could have sat back, waiting for the world to give me what I deserve. I could simply live life, settling for the ‘normal’ expectations of one who lives with disabilities.
Or, I could push back with unwavering faith that my condition and life experiences were all for a reason, and strive to live life to the fullest. Settle for nothing, pursue everything with intention and purpose. Despite the obstacles I’ve faced.
I chose the latter.
There is a single verse in the Bible that best spells out where my faith and motivation comes from:
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. – Phillipians 4:13 (NASB)
Notice it doesn’t say some, it says *all*.
Plain and simple.
If I can do this. You can, too.
Who’s with me?
One reply on “Who’s With Me?”
I’m gonna paraphrase two FAN-Tastic things you posted on this piece.
“As a teenager, I realized that I could live my life one of two ways. View myself as the victim of circumstance, become bitter about the hand I was dealt… Or, I could push back with unwavering faith that my condition and life experiences were all for a reason, and strive to live life to the fullest.”
This is how life should be led.
I love Philippians 4:13
This verse gets me through, as well
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11
What is normal, anyway? Keep being positive and keep inspiring!
-Juan Carlos (J.C.)