1, 2, 3, 4...he continued to count...5, 6, 7,..each number resonated with the step of his one “foot”...8, 9, 10...jump to the last with a thump...12! Yes, 12...that’s how many kids teased him that day. 27 year old Nick Vujicic stood strong and “tall” today as he told of his story in front of about 400 kids most, if not all, taller than him. He was only 6 years old at the time when they surrounded him. These 12 kids saw one starkly different from themselves and their base reaction could only muster “teasing”. I glanced down at my own sweet 6 year old Daniel and shuddered at the thought of him being teased by just one, let alone TWELVE. You can imagine how someone like Nick...actually, no one can imagine because you have nothing to compare to. You see, Nick...amazing Nick Vujicic was born without arms...no, medical reason for it...not even stumps where arms might have been. Oh yeah, Nick was also born without feet...and without the calves that go to feet, nor thighs. In fact, he was born without both legs but was blessed with half of what may have been his foot...had he been born with one. And, there Nick stood...strong and “tall” with the might of only his torso to brace himself and the might of HIS strength. Oh, yes, if you didn’t know Nick before, after his beautiful message, you would have known without a doubt, how he braced himself upon the strength of...whose might? Oh, only His Creator, Elohim...Mighty God, El Elyon!
Beautiful Nick Vujicic spoke truth with triumph to a room full of tweens and teens. I’m not sure what they expected but even after seeing him numerous times on You Tube videos and even a short film, I certainly didn’t expect to hear nor feel what I experienced today.
Kids and I arrived running behind the stroller and me crying out, “Hurry up, we’re late” We were actually 35 minutes early, but I guess I’m always calling out that cadence out of habit. This time was special though. I don’t know if it was out of habit or just stemmed from sheer excitement and wanting good seats. But even in the anticipation of what we were about to hear and who we were about to meet, I gathered the kids to the side before we entered the doors...to pray. I prayed as I pray before any “big deal” that God might bless our encounter...that God’s voice would be heard through the speaker...that the speaker would voice that which God’s prompts...and that hearts would be stirred. But this time I prayed for sweet Nick and that God would bless him with a wife...I have no idea where that came from. It just came. That God would bless him with a wife and with a marriage that would reflect and bless God back.
Relaxed and poised, Nick broke the ice with stories of his most hilarious pranks. I caught glimpses of my children’s smiles and delight. Nick, my kind of guy, loves a good prank...no, I didn’t say teasing or coarse joking. There’s a difference...more on this later. One little kid shocked at the sight of Nick, remarked to him, “Oh, man, what happened to you?” In a sly, scratchy, screetchy voice, Nick squeeked, “Cigarettes, cigarettes” The kid shocked, probably never touched a cigarette ever.
Bored and in search of good laugh, Nick convinced some of his friends to hide him in the overhead baggage compartment during a flight. You can imagine the shock on the passenger’s face when he discovered half a human tucked within baggage.
Ok, joking aside...Nick then got a bit serious and his countenance changed. You remember the teasing on the playground...the TWELVE. Fast forward, Nick turns 10 years old. Faced with despair and depression, Nick sought to commit suicide. He was 10 years old. Teasing...there is no place for that in God’s kingdom. I love the way Nick spoke to this and how he shared this with the tweens and the teens in a language they understood and a visual they could see. How often does this happen in school, on the playground, or anywhere there is flesh....or two or more are gathered?
Yes, where two or more gathered...consider it yet instead in HIS name...for where two or more, there HE is. Nick shared an alternative to teasing. Consider encouragement. That day when the TWELVE gathered around, Nick left with head hung low and longing to never see another...again...until he saw a young friend from across the school yard. She ran to him and delighted, “My Nick, you look good today!” You know what that One remark did...it captured his attention...spoke courage into the courageless...and is reflected back over and over again when he speaks as an example of what ONE can inspire.
Will you be that ONE to inspire? Nick is...and he doesn’t have the two arms you have...the two legs you have... That ONE broke down the TWELVE. And today, Nick at 27 years old, has been to over 35 countries (Nick, if I have that number off, forgive me)...point is...all over the world...to speak to thousands over tens of thousands of people...across races, nations, and customs.
That you will be that ONE, you must lean on the ONE...God Himself. And then Nick called for those who wanted to give their lives to the ONE and make a difference? A few stood up, then a few more...then they came up in hordes and droves. They filled the spaces down the center aisle. I stepped outside to watch my squiggily, wiggily toddler and was amazed at all these young people willing to give their lives when they had the “rest of their lives”. Then, did I see right?...in the back, down the center aisle...there he was...knees to the floor and head bowed in reverence...my son, Jeremy.
Will you be that ONE? Thank you Nick Vujicic for being One to speak into the lives of many, for allowing God to voice through your mouth, for being an instrument greatly used of HIM. He closed with encouragement and somewhere in there shared a hope that God might bless him with a wife. Oh yes, Nick that God might bless you with a wife...to love and to hold...not with arms but with heart...as you do your God!
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and all your strength.” Mark 12:30
Life without limbs but not without limits. http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/
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