A BRUISED REED
Tuesday marks the 70th birthday of one of my dearest friends and, more importantly, one of the godliest women I know. Her name is Sharyl Reed. Matthew, quoting Isaiah, summarizes Jesus’ ministry as one that was so light and tender toward woeful sinners that it would not break a twig that was bent and ready to snap in two (12:20). To strong self-righteous oaks, Jesus came on with the force of an angry Katrina, intending to uproot them so that they might flee to a safe haven outside themselves. But to those tender reeds that were perilously close to snapping, that is, sinners who saw nothing good in themselves and lived on the edge of despair, the Master Husbandman came with the tender touch of a Palestinian zephyr. And to this day, those who see themselves as bankrupt sinners and find little good in what they contribute to the world and who carry on their shoulders a heavy burden of guilt, Jesus comes with velvet hands which skillfully nurture broken reeds back to wholeness.
One of those broken reeds is my friend who aptly shares a name with this lowly twig. This is strangely appropriate. Sharyl Reed has been a bruised reed ever since I had the pleasure to meet her 15 years ago. Her story is filled with bruises. Within the reach of age 40 as she was giving birth to her third daughter, Sharyl was afflicted with a chronic disease that will perhaps be with her until the day she dies. Once an active mother with three little girls, Sharyl was suddenly confined to bed will little more than the strength to survive. Here was a bruised reed. In the midst of all this she tried to hold together a marriage that grew weaker as she grew weaker. The emotional weight of losing health and family and security wore her to a frazzle both emotionally and physically. In this midst of all this, while getting no answers from human doctors, Sharyl met the true Doctor. Her acquaintance with Dr. Jesus changed everything. But, alas, her husband did not follow her down this path. As she lie sick in bed and unable to care for her children, the man who swore to be with her forever got up and left for greener pastures. All of a sudden this bruised reed had no choice but to fight for her children and her rights. But how would she do this? She had no strength to give. She was about to snap. She decided to run to the One who would never break her; the One who alone would sustain her. This set her on a course that could only be called miraculous. She fought hard for justice, but did so with great internal grit and humility. The proceedings wore her down and threatened to put her on the verge of complete collapse. But when Sundays came around her faced beamed with Jesus and she could always be seen asking others about their own struggles. The bruised reed did not break. To those around her it was evident that this frail woman who weighed little more than 100 pounds was being supernaturally sustained. Court battles that were aimed to destroy her, only made her more happy and holy. Health issues that severely weakened her frail body brought out an inner strength that could only come from one source. From that smoked-filled vale where the battles of life are fought, Sharyl emerged unscathed and remarkably sane. No, the bruised reed did not break.
Since that time I have had the opportunity of knowing this obscure hero of the faith. It would be nice to say Jesus fixed all her problems and she has lived ‘happily ever after.’ Such is not the case. Her physical trials persist to this day – perhaps worse than ever. Not only that but she has born heavy trials with respect to the daughter of her old age. The details are inscribed in the courts of heaven. Never has a day passed without her crying out to God for divine help. She is still a bruised reed. But Jesus will not allow her to break.
Her response to these many troubles has encouraged the saints of her local church. Her story would make Dickens want to write another book. Instead of curling up like a ball and saying, ‘woe is me’, this reed called Reed has become more spiritually productive than ever. She has ministered to dozens of young singles (men and women), and young marrieds. She has given them countless hours of sound counsel, and, more than that, her time. At the risk of emotional collapse she has spent hours walking and talking with dazed young people who are looking for answers in a complex world. She asks more questions than anyone I know. The author remembers one eleven hour meeting with this ‘bruised reed’ where she pounded him with question after question. It proved to him that there must be an invisible Hand in the room sustaining her. But her ministry of questioning and caring is only part of her story. This weak twig of a woman, who is now turning 70, has relentlessly prayed for a church of 400 people and has sustained the hopes and fears of many despite being at times racked with hopelessness and fearfulness herself. And all this has been done while continuing to be a devoted mother and grandmother. That she begins each day begging for endurance strength is an understatement. Indeed her life is one grand proof that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.
But this story is not about Sharyl Reed. She would be the first to say that. It’s about the one she calls her Lord and Master. That she turns 70 is a miracle to most doctors. But to those who live by faith, this is no miracle. For this bruised reed called Reed, is sustained by an infinite God who will never, ever leave her or break her. And when Jesus summons His people home at the end of time, I believe somewhere in the clouds we shall see a bruised reed tree ascending with Him asking a lot of questions. And I bet it will be Sharyl Reed a hundred pounds and all.
Happy birthday Sharyl.