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What
a Difference!
Robert
Mason Perry passed from this life on Thursday, April
30, 2009, after battling many health difficulties in
his life, the last of which was throat cancer
accompanied by the fatigue and pain of treatments.
In his 58 years, however, he made an incredible
difference in many, many lives.
Amazingly, many
of his lasting contributions
were performed from a wheelchair!
Robert’s
life drastically changed on May 2, 1978.
He was involved in an Army helicopter crash in
which he broke his neck leaving him paralyzed. For 31 years,
he lived as a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair.
Despite
his physical limitations, however, Robert Perry
accomplished many great and wonderful things!
He earned a
degree in mechanical engineering in view of helping
others who were disabled.
With sympathy and empathy, Robert was able to
help others in his employment with the Alabama
Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Even in retirement, Robert continued his work
with the disabled with the Children’s Rehabilitation
Engineering Team, over which he served as President. Robert served as a deacon in the Creekwood Church of Christ
and taught a 1st grade Bible class for over
six years. He
also planned and implemented many activities for
children outside of the Sunday School classroom, which
included DRIVING the children in his OWN VEHICLE to
visit local nursing homes and hospitals, providing
them with many opportunities for fun and service to
others.
HOW
could he accomplish ALL these things?
One
reason is the SUPPORT of a loving wife.
A dear lady wrote the following words in a
note to Marcelle, Robert’s wife: “Robert became
the man he was primarily because of your support after
the helicopter crash.
His good attitude and adjustment to his
situation were forged by your constant love, care, and
devotion.”
Another
reason is the HOPE
of a Christian. Robert’s
physical problems were not the only challenges that he
and his wife, Marcelle, faced.
They also lost a son, Douglas Allen, who
developed meningitis and died at the tender age of 5
˝. Marcelle
has stated that one of the things that sustained them
through that time of loss as well as other difficult
times is a passage of Scripture from 2 Samuel 12.
In that passage we read of how King David lost
an infant son. When
David learned of his son’s death, he “arose from
the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed
his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD
and worshiped. Then he went to his own house …
ate” (v. 20). His
servants were surprised by his quick recovery, to
which David responded: "Can I bring him back
again? I
shall go to him, but he shall not return to me"
(v. 23).
That
statement – “I
shall go to him, but he shall not return to me”
– has brought much comfort to Robert and Marcelle
through the years.
It reminds them of the hope that one has
because of Jesus: the hope of living eternally in
heaven and being reunited with their loved ones.
The
hope of eternal life belongs to those who: believe
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31), confess
Jesus before man (Romans 10:9-10), are baptized
(immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins
(Acts 2:38), and live faithfully to Him (Revelation
2:10).
Robert
Perry was a difference-maker, and the difference was
due to HOPE. The
hope of the Christian (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) made
all the difference in Robert’s outlook on life.
HOPE can make a difference in YOUR life, too!
YOU can have this hope if you will submit
your life to Jesus.
Won’t
you?
David
A. Sargent, Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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