When Life Falls Apart

Lynn’s husband Doug says his faith in Christ has sustained him through this trial. “I couldn’t have gone through this without knowing God is sovereign, that all things pass through His loving hands,” said Doug. “But still, when people would ask how I was doing early on, I’d say, ‘It is well with my soul, but everything else is falling apart.’”

Lynn and Doug, members of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, Ga., both marvel at their attitude toward the driver who caused the accident. “I don’t have any bitterness or anger toward him,” she says. “That isn’t a natural reaction, so it must be from God.” In fact, Doug hopes to meet the man some day and to be able to share the gospel with him.

Meanwhile, Lynn has had to learn to depend on others in every way. “I do miss being active … I used to be a pretty self-sufficient person,” she says. “But I can’t do anything for myself anymore. … To receive help from others is hard.”

Lynn requires round-the-clock care to bathe her, dress her, feed her, and help her roll over in bed. A small army of volunteers from church comes in several times a week to help with her daily chores and to clean the house. But there are also a number of paid caregivers who help the Wheelers.

“I have long talks with the girls who work with me,” said Lynn. “There are opportunities there that I didn’t have before. … I hope they feel the love I have for them.”

One of the girls has asked Lynn to be her spiritual mentor, and is also learning to play the piano under Lynn’s tutelage.

And Lynn continues to attend church every Sunday, though it requires getting up at 5 a.m. to begin the preparations to leave the house. She has taught the catechism to Pioneer Kids every Sunday night this year—except one. “We only missed one week, and that was because I threw my back out,” laughs Doug.

A Church Rallies

Lynn’s brave response to her paralysis has inspired friends and strangers alike. After her accident, members of Covenant Presbyterian and the Wheelers’ home church in Mississippi built wheelchair ramps into their house, widened doors in the house, and helped cover some the remodeling costs.

And other church members organized a golf tournament on her behalf. In July, 88 players and 30 volunteers joined the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia and the president of Clayton State College to play in the Lynn Wheeler Benefit Golf Tournament. They raised $14,000 to help offset a portion of her 24-hour care and medical expenses.

“Lynn’s attitude has showed such tremendous faith in the Lord,” said Terry Starr, an elder at Lynn’s church and one of the organizers of the tournament. “You often go visit to try to encourage her, but she ends up encouraging you.”

In fact, Lynn is full of encouragement for others traveling the road of suffering:

--“Your limitations are what God has for you right now. It won’t be easy, but use it as you can for His glory.”

--“If you’re limited, you may have to ask, ‘Will you be my hands for me?’ It’s hard, but you might need to ask for help.”

--“Be a friend to someone else for awhile—let them talk and let them know that you understand.”

In the quiet of late afternoon, Lynn reflects on her journey and sums it up with stunning simplicity: “I wouldn’t wish this on anybody, but I can stand it because God has ordained it. … If God can use it for good, it’s worth it.”