Reflection: Disabled

In another royal story, we encounter the nurse who, while fleeing, accidently drops and injures the baby she’s trying to protect.* Now King Saul’s grandson is permanently crippled in both feet. How would you feel as that un-named nurse? That, we can only imagine. And what about the maimed Mephibosheth? That, we are told. He says he feels like a ‘dead dog’: disabled, shamed and ’unclean’.

King Saul and his son Jonathan are reported dead. Bittersweet news to David, who is next on the throne in Israel. How, now, to honour his dear friend Jonathan, and fulfill his promise to deal kindly with the royal family? Emerging from the shadows, from some ignominious place, is found Jonathan’s sole survivor, and he is literally named, ‘spreader of shame’. David graces disgraced Mephibosheth with covenant-love. For life, Mephibosheth is treated like David’s son. From gutter to glory.

A ‘lady of the night’ once told me that people who’ve lived in the gutter really GET love. If there’s grace, restoration, and unexpected kindness to be gotten, those who feel least likely will be most grateful.

Today’s ‘little person’ is defined not by his actions, but by receiving kindness from others.  Like him, let’s embrace our weak, defenceless, powerless state and bask in unmerited favour.

Prayer:

Mirrored in this story is my own daily, vulnerable state of weakness. We’re all at least a little lame. But, patterned on your promises, love and forgiveness, all our stories are feasts of grace and mercy. Sons and daughters at table with you, we gratefully celebrate another day of extravagant covenant-love. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Lord and Saviour!

*2 Samuel 4:4