Mark Speckman was born without hands.

For many people, that handicap could cause great embarrassment, become an excuse forunderachieving, and maybe even paralyze them for life. Not for Mark.

Without hands, Mark played high school football, and then went on to play middle linebacker at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. He earned an honorable mention for All-American honors in 1976.

One day, when Mark was still a college student, two kids came up to him in the supermarket. Kids being kids, they didn't know yet that it is not polite to stare at someone's handicap. The kids exclaimed, "Hey, mister! Where's your hands!?"

Mark (and this is classic!) said, "Oh no! I was looking at the cereal boxes and I must have set them down over there." Sure enough the kids dashed over to the cereal boxes and started looking for his hands. Mark could hardly contain himself. Then he said, "No, wait! I was washing my hands in the bathroom and set them on the counter."

Isn't' that a great response? Mark chooses to have joy in his life rather than focus on his circumstances. He has never let his disability hold him back. He can still write, type, use a cell phone, drive, and play racquetball, and he even played the trombone in high school.

[Tim Hansel is a motivational speaker, author of YOU GOTTA KEEP DANCIN', and founder of Ignite!]

How about you?  Do you allow your "handicaps" to hold you back?  Do you choose joy in spite of your circumstances? Can you laugh at yourself?  Paul commanded the Christians at Philippi to "Always be full of joy in the Lord.

I say it again--rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).

If it is a command, it can be a choice!