“I’m gonna die you retard!”  I know I’m not allowed to say this – and I didn’t.  Someone else did, and the context in which they said it packs a punch. 

I heard it a while ago on a late night run to Wal-Mart.  It was spoken by a comedian with Cystic Fibrosis, who as a result of his disease recently had his leg amputated and has been given a limited time to live – thus the statement.

It seems this man has chosen to live out the remainder of his days entertaining people in spite of his somewhat dire predicament.  On this particular night he was hosting a radio call in program in which people would call and describe why their lives were worse off than his.  The caller whose life sucked the most would be entered for a chance to win a dream vacation.  I know, morbid, but somehow entertaining.

The first caller talked about finding his mother dead when he was just five, another called about losing his job and his wife leaving him, the third caller, however was the most interesting.  She was in her early twenties and had just gotten engaged a week earlier (I know, terrible).   The thing that made her life so horrific was not the engagement but rather the fact that her best friend was angry with her over her decision not to serve alcohol at the wedding reception. 

Imagine being clueless enough to call in to a dieing man to complain about a friend being mad at you.  I wasn’t the only one amazed at her limited perspective.  While she was still talking the one legged radio host began roaring in laughter while shouting “I’m gonna die you retard”.  He hung up on her.

Those five little words were powerful.  Here was a man who was dying of a very difficult disease having to listen to the selfish rants of a young woman whose biggest complaint in life was that her best friend didn’t like a decision she made about a party she was throwing.  His spirit, however was the most incredible.  He wasn’t disgusted at her or her lack of perspective as much as he was amazed. 

In every case, “Retard” is inappropriate language, but in this case, all of its negative connotations seemed to fit.  It fit this naive little girl, and to be honest, it fit me.  I turned the radio off so I could listen some more.  This time to a being with a sense of humor so powerful I knew he appreciated the method with which I had just been given perspective. 

He reminded me that my life is a blessing, that my worst circumstance is simply an opportunity, and that He alone makes life worth living.  He reminded me that his call on my life is to walk with him, in faith not sight, and that he gave his life so that mine could have hope.  No matter the circumstance, there is joy in the journey and there is his light at the end of the tunnel.

So here’s to the dying comedian who brought us perspective! Here’s to laughing with our God in the midst of our “problems”.  Because we’re all gonna die, and we’re all retards!

God is Good.  Josh