LTSP - Tim Garman (fall 2006)

New Students, Fall 2006

Tim Garman

Matt Garman ALTHOUGH I SENSED A CALL TO ORDAINED MINISTRY from a young age, the gift that God has given me to carry out my ministry did not become clear to me until my second year of college. It was at this point in my life that I met Pastor Rick Chaveas, who has been central in my discernment process. When my family joined his church, he told our new member class, "God made you all you are and all you'll ever be."

Soon, I began to think about how God made me different from other people. My cerebral palsy was the first major difference to cross my mind. It was not long before I began to see my disability as God's doing and a gift from Him that I could use in the parish to help others become closer to God. Although I have had to endure painful surgeries and have had extensive therapy, my disability is a gift because it makes all of life's other challenges seem insignificant. Additionally, the cerebral palsy has allowed me to be respectful of the differences among people and I would not trade having it for anything. God never said life would be easy, but he does promise that we will have everything we will ever need.

I can see that in spite of my disability and even through it, this is indeed true. It is my hope that my ministry will show others that God's gifts come in different types and that sometimes they can come in the most unlikely form. Faith is not about having all the answers. It is about believing in something and realizing that through one's faith one has the potential to further the Kingdom of God.