Polio rears its ugly head once again. Not in some third world country, but in the New York City area of the United States. As one who contracted this disease at the age of two, let me tell you that this is not good news. Oh, that polio had been wiped out… forever.

Catching polio at such an early age leaves me fearful, apprehensive, and lonely. In isolation at a hospital polio clinic miles from home and family, life gets skewed rather early for me. Actually, I was very fortunate. I had polio’s lesser type. No permanent paralysis. No iron lung for breathing. I’ve joked over the years that the only residual effect has been a thinner left leg. Anything thin in my body, I’ll gladly take!

But it’s not so funny anymore. That leg is shrinking. Atrophy sets in. Becomes so noticeable that my sister says that I should ditch my outdoors warm weather shorts. Wear long pants. Cover up what’s becoming quite obvious.

Somehow I’m not too down-in-the-mouth about it. Not hopeless and despondent. For I’ve learned that the Bible is true, through and through. What God says matters. I try to listen to Him, as best I can.

Three verses among thousands speak to me about what’s happening with my diminishing left leg. 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18–‘So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.’

So, how can I handle this wasting away business? To accept what I can’t change? Not fight back saddled with unbridled fears and anxiety? Hang in there until…? You know when and where, don’t you?

I know that this life is but a prelude. We wait in the wings as the performance is about to begin, and we’re in the cast of the Show of Shows. What can’t and won’t be changed in this life will disappear like fog on a quickly warming morning. Until then be renewed day by day. Until then all we need to do is trust Him. Hold His hands. Throw our nail-biting jitters on His shoulders. Keep close by Jesus no matter what. No matter how long it takes. Until the Lord takes it all away as He’ll do for each of us who know and love Him.

Wasting away, mine or yours, will waste away once and for all. Amen to that!

Thank you, Jesus, for promises made and promises you’ll surely keep. Amen.