The paintings in the window caught Greg’s eye. He eased the door open into the art studio. How many times had he passed this place but never stopped in? A few patrons milled about, but the place was certainly not full. Shame. The artist was clearly gifted. He moved in front of a series of oil paintings and his breath caught. The first picture showed tanned, weathered hands holding an infant boy. The next painting showed a man holding a toddler. On and on, down the line, each successive painting showed the boy growing into an old man, and in each painting he was held by the same strong man, who didn’t age.

A man rolled up next to Greg in a wheelchair, seemingly to study the paintings, but when Greg turned to steal a glance, the man was gazing directly at Greg. Startled, Greg stepped back. “I’m sorry. Am I in your way?” Something about this man made Greg uncomfortable. Was it the fact he was in a wheelchair, or was it the way his direct gaze seemed to pierce through all his defenses?

The man chuckled. “No, sir. I could spend all afternoon gazing at this series of paintings.” He held out his hand. “Name’s Nathan.”

Greg shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Nathan. I’m Greg.”

Nathan nodded and turned his gaze back to the paintings. “Do you believe in God, Greg?”

Oh great. One of those types. What was the quickest way to end this conversation? By saying he did or he didn’t? Greg chewed on his response for a moment while he studied the paintings. Now it made sense. “I get it. This is supposed to be the same man throughout his life being held by Jesus. Nice.”

“What do you think of the paintings?”

“The artist is clearly talented. They’re exquisite.”

Nathan raised his eyebrows. “But?”

Greg frowned. “But I’m not sure they’re realistic. I guess I don’t really believe in Jesus holding you throughout your life. There are too many bad things that happen.”

“Would you sit with me?” Nathan wheeled his chair over to a bench, and Greg took a seat next to him. Nathan was quiet for a few moments, and Greg was tempted to leave. But for some inexplicable reason, he wanted to hear what this man had to say.

“When I was in high school, I was in an accident. Paralyzed from the waist down. I pleaded with God to heal me. As you can see, He chose not to.”

“You’re proving my point,” Greg said. “God hasn’t been holding you. The person who painted those pictures is incredibly talented, but probably led a sheltered life.”

“Have you ever heard of the apostle Paul?” Nathan asked.

Greg shrugged. “Yeah, why?”

Nathan angled his wheelchair to face Greg. “The Bible doesn’t tell us the specifics, but Paul describes a thorn in his flesh. A physical problem. He asked God to take it away, but God did not. Paul understood that in our weakness, God can work in us. God chose not to heal Paul, and he’s chosen not to heal me.”

Greg frowned. “I don’t understand how you can have such faith in a God who doesn’t answer your prayers.”

Nathan’s face brightened. “Oh, but He has. Just not in the way I imagined. By forcing me to slow down, he’s given me an amazing gift. I have a job that I am truly passionate about. One that I would never have pursued if I had the full function of my legs.”

Greg’s curiosity was piqued. “What is it that you do?”

Nathan lifted his arms and outstretched them. “I, my friend, am the artist.”

2 Corinthians 12: 7-10

In order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God, sometimes things are not as they seem. Help us to remember that the trials that come in our lives can be used by You. We may not understand at the time when we are hoping for a different outcome, but help us to remember that Your grace is sufficient for us. In our weakness, You are our strength. Help us to lean on your strength and walk in your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.