Catching Idle Butterflies

Blake

Before you read more of this entry, please read this:

Blessed is He . . .  (E) A simple man with a simple, yet profound faith, reminding me how mine fell short. #1007885 by vivacious

25 years ago, at the age of 22, Blake fell asleep while driving and ended up in a terrible accident. No one expected him to live, let alone walk, speak and even be able to take care of himself.

Prior to his accident, he lived a life one would expect of a young man. His goals in life were, as he put it, "Chasing after women and money."

You wouldn't think that if you were to see him today.

Today, Blake is a man in search of one thing. God. His appetite is insatiable. He attends Bible study on Sundays after the 8am service, again on Wednesday nights, and he is also participating in the Disciple classes (see previous entry).

Blake could have hardened his heart and turned bitter condidering all he had lost. But instead, he embraced God.

He loves life and takes joy in everything. (Especially food. I'm jealous. He can eat three times more than most people and never gain a pound!) It's as though he knows every day these last 25 years are a gift from God. He praises Him every day, not just for that life, but so he can use every day to get even closer to Him.

He also has incredible patience. Because of his accident, he has a hard time speaking. It's quiet and slurred. You have to really pay attention to him, lean in close, and many times, he will have to repeat himself three, sometimes four times before the listener either finally understands or simply gives up. That he doesn't get frustrated having to repeat himself so many times is quite astonishing.

Blake walks with God, and I know God walks right along side him, smiling every step of the way.