Jesus in the Flesh

I am not really sure where it came from, but when I was about 7 years old or so I started eating. I wonder now if it was to fill the void of losing my Daddy? Eddie Lee Welch' s suffering from cancer came to an end in December 1966 just before I was about to turn 7 years old. Edward Charles Welch's suffering from loneliness began around the end of December 1966. I loved my Daddy the best any "know nothing about Love" 6 year old boy could. I suppose what I did know was what it felt like to be loved by a Father- but now that was gone. Fast forward to 1972- now 12 years old, 5 foot 2 inches tall and 175 pounds of self loathing, loneliness. Appearing happy, I suppose- but disconnected from what mattered most in a twelve year old boy's world -the acceptance of other kids my age who seemed to have it all together. They didn't want me- especially not the boys who were on their way to manhood- strong and able. Fat, incapable athletically, rejected by girls, picked last for anything that even hinted of manliness- I had gone to food for comfort. I had gone to other things as well. A boy has to find relief somewhere from the pain of loneliness, rejection and isolation. The enemy had a field day- Attempting to steal away any real hope for happiness or freedom. I did start going to church regularly for the first time around this time. My sister and her husband took me. The people seemed nice enough at first and the more I heard about this Jesus character the more intrigued I became. He was different- He would never make fun of me- He would never laugh at me- He would never have left me to be picked last- He could even save me from my sins-Yep this Jesus guy was pretty awesome. Hey- during that time I even walked the aisle- I got saved and baptised. I remember going to Sunday School- Witnessing- Leaving Bible Tracts in magazines at the drug store- Finally my life seemed to have a bit of value to it-

At least Jesus cared about me- I have never doubted that.

His people however- you know the ones who were nice enough in the beginning- Somehow they turned out to be not much different from anyone else. It's really hard for a kid to handle that. Christians are supposed to be different- Like Jesus. Oh I held on to my Saviour- But the Abundant Life- The sense of being Loved and wanted by His people- That seemed to slowly fade out of my life- Oh there were respites of happiness, and I did learn to use what I had going for me- my being kind of smart- to at least have some friends, but still the loneliness lingered.

Loneliness- That sense that no one really cares- no one is interested in sharing life with you. That sense of being disconnected and left out of all you want to be a part of. There is nothing more miserable.

Fast forward to 1976- High School- God is so Faithful- He really never will leave you or forsake you. In all my striving for Love and acceptance I really never had doubted Jesus- I just wished He would send someone to show me His Love- I needed to feel it in a hug or a smile- I needed it to come in flesh and blood reality. It's what we all need- It's how we were built- For Community.

John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us"

Oh how those words became reality in my life in 1976 through a man named Danny Parker. Danny was the Young Life Leader for my High School- For me he became the Hands and Feet of Christ- sent by God Himself to be the father I had lost all those many years before.

God had saved my life yet again. He had sent a man who truly loved Jesus and that love overflowed and spilt out of his life to me as sure as the Blood of Christ Himself has been spilt for me.

Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Friend Jesus, Precious Holy Spirit- Fill me up with Your Love the way You filled this man You sent my way all those years ago. Fill me so that I overflow to the people You bring my way- those who are lonely and hurting and feel the weight of the world and the enemy himself coming down on them. Make me an encouragement- Forgive me where I pass over the forgotten and give me Your Great Heart of compassion for the broken. Do all this in me I pray in the Wonderful Name of Jesus.

Amen