The same day I received your letter, I got another one from someone telling me about a young man with cerebral palsy in their church. He too is confined to a motorized wheelchair—and yet everyone in town knows him, and he cheers everyone he meets by his attitude. “Just his smile is a witness for Christ,” this person wrote.

No, you may not be able to do everything you once did. But listen: God isn’t only interested in what we do; He also is concerned about what we are. This young man can do very little except smile—but his smile lets others know that Christ is real, and even in the midst of life’s troubles Christ can help them too. Do others see Christ in you? Ask Him to draw you closer to Himself, and then use you to touch others with His love. May you discover the same truth Paul did: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

God knows your hardships, and He knows too how discouraging all this is to you. But He still has a purpose for you—and I challenge you to ask Him what it is. People all around you face all kinds of hardships, and your example can mean much to them.

May you also turn your heart and mind in a deeper way toward heaven. When we know Christ, we know that someday the problems of this life will be over, and we will be with Him forever.