Foregoing the soap on this expletive... D*****!

DAMN IT!

Now, before you judge me for my offensive language or even brush over that "D-bomb," I know, not at catchy as "F-bomb," as unimportant... please read further.

Dictionary.com defines the word damn a few different ways:

     Verb

1. to declare (something) to be bad, unfit, invalid, or illegal
2. to condemn as a failure
3. to bring condemnation upon, ruin
4. to doom to eternal punishment or condemn to hell
5. to swear at or curse, using the word "damn"

     Interjection

1. (used as an expletive to express anger, annoyance, disgust, etc.)

Then UrbanDictionary.com has a different definition, quite simply "the all purpose word"

Maybe you are wondering why I am using a blog to yell "damn it" to the world. Well here is the short version...

My dad is paralyzed, and has been so for 10 years. That sucks, beyond words can express. But the last couple years have been incredibly rough with long bouts of time in the hospital with all kinds of issues, from blood clots in his legs and lungs to another broken back to infection in his pelvis... Damn it!

His body is broken. Have you ever known true brokenness? Think about it. Have you fought each day to wake up and live out the day, only to fight the same battle the next day? Have you ever been so depressed that sleep is the only escape, but even your dreams are tormented by the excruciating pain? Have you been in chronic pain? I pray you have not, nor ever will experience this. I would not wish this on anyone.

Well the events of the past 10 years have brought my family to this current point in time and my dad is facing more surgeries and yet another Christmas in the hospital; this is the second year in a row and I believe the 3rd/4th time in the last 10 years. Oh, did I mention that Christmas is my dad's birthday? Damn it!

Alright, enough of this specific four-letter word. Let me introduce another... LOVE. I don't care if it sounds cliche. Deal with it. Because I have never met someone who has better demonstrated my God's sacrificial love.

I have a father who fights each day, with each new trial and hardship. He loves me and my brother. He opens his eyes, gritting his teeth with each spasm that threatens to throw his body to the ground, to be there for us. That, my friends is LOVE of the purest kind. He pushes his body to lived in this situation that is...

1. bad, unfit, invalid
2. a failure
3. ruined, condemned
4. hellish
5. a curse

... because he LOVES. He sacrifices the right to end it all, to slip into death, because he lives by a four-letter word that doesn't have to be bleeped out with ****.

My story might mean little to you if you don't know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. You might see my dad's strength as the fulfillment of man's potential to strive and survive. I agree that he is a strong man and has a tenacity that puts many to shame. But my dad is here today, dealing with these damned circumstances, because he relies on the strength of our God. His fortitude is not of man's creation. He has not let go of life because God is not through with him. My dad is no stranger to frustration and the words "Damn it!" But what sets him apart from so many, and what I hope to achieve in my life, is the ability to say DAMN IT to the circumstances and keep living by this four-letter word - LOVE.

So, quick question... Yes, I know I just asked you a lot of questions and gave you a lot of information; work with me... Why do you say "damn it?"