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Life Without Legs
by Harold Hurr
During the next few weeks of recovery, I was completely overwhelmed with kindness from the hospital staff, friends, and neighbors. The clergy and Christian friends from near and far upheld me in prayer. On Wednesday following the accident, 160 friends, including many Amish neighbors, came to harvest the remaining 20 acres of corn by hand. It was real teamwork. They husked and conveyed 2600 bushels of corn into storage in one single day. The local church and farm women organization prepared lunch for all the workers. There was even coffee and homemade donuts provided for snack-time. I have been told that the fellowship among the laborers was just wonderful. A dear neighbor took pictures, from sun-up to sun-down of the day's activities and compiled an album for my enjoyment.
This type of experience, which very few people will have in the course of a lifetime, was mine by the permissive will of God and surely it was for a purpose. His word has been proven so many times, especially that verse in Romans which says, "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (8:28).
I have had many hours of therapy and practice on trainer legs in preparation for the final limbs which are being made. My wheelchair is mostly found in the car trunk being used regularly on Sunday mornings to take me to my teenage Sunday School class and the morning worship service. For mobility in the house, I find it most convenient to scoot on my bottom with the use of my hands, and I can raise myself from the floor to a chair. With the help of some extra bars in the bath, I can care for my physical needs completely.
My family has relieved me of much responsibility in our dairy program. Though there are many jobs I cannot do, I have not sat idly by. I have passed my driver's test and been reinstated using hand controls. Also, I have operated a loader backhoe as well as the different farm tractors having plowed and tilled 150 acres of ground, mowed and raked hay, plus maintaining the garden and lawn. I am still the number "one" service or "fix-it" man for our machinery. Life is great!
 I am still the number "one"
service or "fix-it" man for our
machinery. Life is great!
As one whose faith and love for the Lord is stronger than ever before, although handicapped I shall ask the Lord to guide and give me added patience. I claim to have lost a lot, but I also have a lot "left."
Many folks who have heard this story have asked, "How would you feel about the accident if you were not a Christian?"
My answer is simple. I would be a bitter and resentful man, angry at the lack of safety switches or guard bars as well as my own impetuous response. I would spend a lifetime feeling sorry for myself, as I jealously watch the unimpaired walk by.
True, I may have recovered somewhat as I got used to my crutches and restricted travel on my artificial legs or moved around slowly on my wheelchair, but I would never have had the confidence of knowing that I would walk and run again in eternity! There I would live forever, walk with Jesus, and run with Peter and John. I would meet my parents and loved ones, and stroll the Milky Way without crutches or wheelchair. All this would be possible because my ultimate earthly joy was receiving the free gift to eternal life as I surrendered the control of my earthly life to Jesus Christ.
Amazing enough, this gift is still offered to anyone who is sorry for his sins and in repentance, asks Jesus to be the Lord of his life.
This knowledge gave me a happy life without legs, but with the assurance of an eternity with a new and better body that will never grow old, die, or even get sick!
As a Christian, I can assure you that with Jesus there is life without legs!
Harold C. Herr retired from farming with his son six years ago and lives with his wife, Bonnie, in a retirement home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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