I Was Wrong!

(Left to right) Sis. Beth, Pastor Boy, Pastor Norman, Pastor Raul and Sis. Carol.


by Pastor Norman S. Lao


In the course of 18 years as a pastor of a local church, I have visited and ministered to a lot of sick people including quite a number of those who suffered paralysis due to stroke. In my experience, this latter group were the most depressed of all the sick people I have visited. They exude hopelessness, wallow in self-pity and are quite bitter. They lash out against everyone around them, blaming others, even God, for their pitiful condition. It seems that life and vigor have left them altogether. That`s why a couple of days ago, when I planned to visit a fellow pastor who had a stroke several weeks before, I braced myself for what I expected to be another depressing encounter. Images of a lifeless, hopeless figure randomly went through my mind as I neared their house. I expected the worst.

I was wrong!

Contrary to what I expected, the sixty minutes or so I spent with my friend was the most edifying, uplifting, encouraging, challenging and comforting encounter I ever had for quite some time. It was obvious that, although the devil has succeeded in disabling half of his body, the enemy did not succeed in quenching my friend`s passion for God and the things of God. He talked about his vision while he was at the ICU, how he had a head on collision with Death and overcame, how he gained insight into the ineffectiveness of our careless prayers in combating the attacks of the enemy, how the armor of God should be worn without chinks, how worship and the presence of God can protect Christians, how thankfulness to the Lord has driven out negative thoughts and feelings, how being healed and being whole are different, etc., etc. He will be preaching this Sunday to one of their churches. He will be wearing a cap with this message on the front: `Relax, God is in Control.`

He cannot move his left side (yet), but he sure moved my heart that day.

Pastor Levi `Boy` Padlan you are a true inspiration to us all. May fellow pastors who do not have physical disabilities be deeply challenged by your strong example.

God bless you and keep you.