34 responses to “Testimonies from You”

1. 

   Joe

   May 29, 2025

   While driving home from Nashville in 2016, my eyes welled up with tears at the realization that I was never going to be the same again. This was, at the risk of sounding crude, a delayed reaction to the first time Kevan had asked me, “Would you mind taking me to the restroom?” The truth is, it’s the luxury of not being physically limited that would allow that question to seem crass. That luxury provides us with basic dignities such as discreetly heading to a restroom without drawing any attention.
   Someone with physical limitations or inability isn’t always able to be discreet in times of basic need. This is where dichotomy comes into play between those who have a need and those who can help meet that need. When you lend your physical ability, such as in helping someone use the toilet, you have an opportunity by way of your ability and attitude, to offer that person a moment of dignity. But in doing so, you inevitably lay down your own dignity in the actions that ensue.
   Years back, I experienced this trading of dignities while at the bedside of my grandfather. He was a paraplegic who was bedridden at the time. He shared that his dentures had not been cleaned that day, which compelled me to do the only thing that could remedy this. I took his dentures and scrubbed them in the sink with a toothbrush. No, it was not pleasant for me. But I loved my grandpa, and I could imagine how unpleasant it must have been for him to have unclean dentures in his mouth, and with no way of his own to fix that. As a result, my grandfather felt the simple dignity once again of having fresh, clean teeth, and I experienced the dignity found in getting to meet that need.
   As I wiped the tears from my eyes on that road in Tennessee in 2016, I knew that I was being called forward by God to extend dignity where Kevan lacked it and in doing so, I was going to lay my own dignity aside many times over. What I did not yet understand was that transfigured dignity that would be offered back to me in return. I would never again be the same as I was before that first toilet break, or the first night sharing a bed and being awoken half-a-dozen times by hearing, “Hey Joe, can you roll me over?” Or after the first time I washed his face, brushed his hair or his teeth, or bathed him while completely unsure of myself, yet repeatedly reassured by Kevan’s steadfast classic statement: “You’re doing great.”
   I didn’t possess a natural grace about it all. I would have to internally battle through my own selfishness many times. But Kevan’s gratitude and brotherhood toward me was always sobering. It was during one of my most self-centered moments of frustration while traveling with Kevan, that I felt a conviction come over my mind saying, “You can’t serve him if you can’t let go, and you can’t love him if you can’t serve him.” Through this I saw not only that God loved Kevan enough to send help, but that He loved me enough to send Kevan, and with Kevan, the opportunity to become something better than I was.

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