Grace That Carries

The renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead was once asked what she considered the first sign of civilization. The students expected an answer like a tool, a piece of pottery, or maybe some kind of ancient invention. But Dr. Mead surprised everyone. She said, “The first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed.”

Why? Because in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You can’t escape predators, get water, or find food. You don’t survive. But if your leg heals, it means someone stayed with you. Someone carried you. Someone protected you and helped you until you could walk again.

Three years ago today, I experienced that truth firsthand. I was in a terrible car accident. I broke both of my ankles and my hip and found myself in a hospital and rehab for 6 months. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t even stand. For a while, I couldn’t even see how I was going to get back up again. But God didn’t leave me in that place. He never does.

God sends people into our lives to lift us when we can’t lift ourselves. He uses ordinary hands to do extraordinary things. And you, my beloved Diocese, you became that healing presence. You became the arms that carried me, the prayers that lifted me, the voice that said, “You are not alone.”

Scripture says in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” That’s exactly what you did for me. And by His mercy and your love, I am walking again. I’m celebrating Badarak again. I’m living again. And it’s not because of my strength, it’s because of God’s grace working through you.

Friends, from the depths of my heart: Thank you. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for standing with me through one of the most difficult seasons of my life. Thank you for being the evidence of civilization, the evidence of Christ’s love.

May the same God who healed me heal you. May His grace carry you through every trial, and may you, in turn, be the grace that carries someone else.

Keep walking. Keep loving. Keep lifting others.

That’s how we live out the law of Christ.