Stand & Kneel

(This story will require at least 30 minutes, as it is sharing a life journey that cannot be abbreviated. Story will be available in audio form at a later date. Thank you for taking the time to read and share.)

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:6 (referring to the Book of Isaiah, chapter 28, verse 16)

Ralph Waldo Emerson, renowned American philosopher and poet, is often credited with some of the more famous quotes in our history. One of his most frequently quoted sayings that supposedly originated from him was:

“Life is about the journey, not the destination”. Some might agree. Others may take a different approach.

Had Mr. Emerson met a man whose life was truly built upon faith in his Lord and Savior, he may have diverted his path of pseudo-spiritual intellectualism, which birthed his transcendental philosophy. Chuck Cram is that man. Chuck would not have merely shown the famous philosopher that life is far more than such a simplistic platitude, but far greater than any one man can define.

In the case of Chuck Cram, he may view life as both a journey and destination. But he would have told Mr. Emerson that he forgot a couple of things. Clearly, the life of this man, through his own testimony, would start with two foundational truths of life: miracles, and faith in the author of miracles.

“I have seen some miracles that are so amazing that I could spend all day telling you about miracles,” Chuck shares.

And though, in his own words, he has witnessed many miracles and challenges that are unique to his own journey, friends and loved ones are now praying for a miracle for this man. Chuck has been diagnosed with one of the most debilitating diseases known to mankind: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or more commonly known as ALS. Often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”, after the Yankee slugger who had to suddenly retire when he was diagnosed with the mysterious disease on his 36th birthday. His battle with the disease, along with his famous retirement speech, raised awareness worldwide- and still does today through a special day in remembrance of baseball’s original “iron man”.

But, as the first case of ALS was with Gehrig, every case of ALS is unique. So is the journey of the person that lives with this disease. So let me tell you about this “iron man” named Chuck, and the dedication of Mr. Cram to his bride and family, the many challenges of their children, and the conviction of his own personal faith with His Savior. And how, through this difficult season, he continues trusting the one that has navigated him through every storm.