Detroit Church of Christ - Articles

For His Glory

Ron and Nancy Markham - Grand Rapids, Michigan July 13, 2005

 

In John 9, Jesus and his disciples came across a man who had been born blind.  "His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

 

Two years ago my wife, Nancy, and I met a Sister, at Church. Her name was Nisha. Her smile and her Spirit were so engaging that I did not notice she was born without arms. Just like the disciples 2,000 years ago, we had the same question. WHY? We didn’t realize that we had just met someone that would impact our lives forever. Eventually one of the children from Kingdom Kids asked her where her arms were, and she gently explained that she was born without them. No complaints – only joy.

 

The next time Nancy and I met Nisha, we were at the beach. She swam over to me and we started talking. I couldn’t believe my ears. She challenged me to a race back to shore! This was not just a physical challenge, there was a spiritual level to this challenge as well. Again, I questioned God. WHY? Would you believe it? She beat me back to shore. Would you believe I was on the swim team at Drexal? Would you believe that Nisha had given me a head start? This was big !

 

After my ego recovered, I realized God had gotten my attention. He was working on my faith and my heart. Nancy and I were compelled to pursue this relationship. As our relationship with Nisha grew, we found that we really enjoyed her company. There were never any complaints, only joy. Our faith and understanding of God's purpose grew as well. To really explain this, you need to understand Nisha's life.

 

In a world where everything is designed for people who have two arms - Nisha has reflected God's infinite resourcefulness. She has adapted where others would quit. She has even started her own on-line company "Ink Spot". There is no frustration, or anger in Nisha – only joy.

 

Further on in John Jesus answers their question:  Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be revealed in his life.

 

When you see the work of God displayed in someone's life you feel blessed just to be a witness to God’s glory. That is how Nancy and I feel. At first we asked "How could her biological parents just turn their back on this gift from God?" When you see the work of God in Nisha's life, this scripture, this answer, comes to life. 

 

Adopted at the age of three by Pam and Dan, a loving couple from Michigan, God placed Nisha in the perfect home. Having already raised their disabled son Josh, Pam and Dan taught Nisha what most would assume to be impossible. As is always the case when the work of God is displayed in someone's life, people noticed. As Nisha grew up, she was featured in many newspaper and magazine articles. Never discouraged she had – only joy.

 

Take a step back, and you will see more than one of today’s most awesome disciples, you will see an example of complete and explicit trust in God. After moving to California in 1985, God has brought Nisha through some very tough times. The family had to move back to Michigan while her Dad stayed in California to work. As one would expect, this had a detrimental effect on the marriage, so in 1993 the family reunited back in LA. When her brother died at an early age he left behind five children, Nisha saw a need and a way to help his family. Nisha took on the job of helping to raise them and they became like her own children. At the same time her mother's health started a notable decline.

 

After her Father died, her mom was diagnosed with cancer. Add to the equation her brother's death, and all the other trials she endured growing up, this writer is in awe of her attitude, still – only joy. Keeping the faith, and still reaching out to help others, is in no small way - the work of God displayed. Soon after her brother's children were ripped away from her, her Mom lost the battle against the cancer and Nisha herself was diagnosed with cancer. If Nisha’s faith was not built on solid rock, you would not find a disciple unfettered by these mortal events. She is still faithful, no bitterness, – only joy

How many lives has she touched? How many people have learned to trust God, how many heads have been turned to look at our Lord, God only knows. I know I have seen God’s glory, revealed by an unshakable Spirit. I have seen a situation that could end up in a lot of different ways, but has ended with – only joy!

 

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"- but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. 1 Cor 2:9-10

 

Thank you Nisha for displaying God’s works in you life.