A Lesson from ALS

This week I want you to think about people. People you likely do not know. But people you should certainly know about.

The first lesson for this week is Ed's Story. Ed is - wait, no - Ed was a pastor.

I get ahead of myself. Let me start over.

Ed was pastor of the Calvary Church in Grand Rapids Michigan. It was a leading church in the area. It was a huge church (thousands attending). His life was full, busy, and blessed.

Then the crisis came. He was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). There is no cure. He was diagnosed in 2001. Life expectancy with ALS is two-five years after diagnosis.

His journey and battle with this devastating disease is being documented in short films that tell his story. You would be wise to take some time and walk with him on this journey. You can find Ed's story here: Ed's Story

There are so many lessons he has learned through this tragedy. Today I share just one.

How do you think your prayer life would change if you thought you were dying? (We are you know, we just don't like to think about it).

This is what Ed said happened to his prayer life.

"There is a world of thankfulness that we rarely explore...I used to never pray, 'Thank you, Lord for getting me up in the morning.' I used to never thank God for that. After ALS, I do now...the major change in my prayer life is that most of my prayers are now prayers of gratitude."

I was amazed when I read that. The result of ALS is that now he prays with gratitude? If you had to describe the attitude of your prayers, what would it be? Gratitude?

It was just a simple reminder to me that most of our problem is that we are too blessed. We take it all for granted.

What thanks do you owe the Creator and Sustainer of your life today?

Spend a few minutes with Ed and I think your perspective will improve. I know it did for me.