Brothers and Sisters,
This is a beautiful thread, and I enjoyed reading it again. I have been blessed to meet and know many people who are "differently abled". In many ways, I think they are gifts to everyone around them. I'm thinking about a local school for the handicapped right now. "Handicapped" is part of the name for the school, and I many times wish they had chosen a different name, but the same name has been known for over 50 years. The students they serve has changed a couple of times, but my best memories were when they served a wide range of students with physical and mental problems. As an example, they have a core group of kids with downs syndrome who have gone to the school for many years. Some of those kids are now in their 50s and 60s and school is still a high point in their life. Many of them still need help in tying their shoes, but they have some unusual qualities that are quickly recognized by anyone near them. If someone wants a definition for "happy" and "love", let them look in this school. It's easy for the school to get volunteers once anyone has spent some time in the school.
The question for these volunteers is "do they give, or do they receive?" I think that they receive.I remember many children with cerebral palsy and many other dreaded diseases. Many of the children did not live into their teen years, but they gave much to everyone around them for the short years they had.
The point is "how many things do they have to teach us?" I remember many of them talking about JESUS, and some of them knew they would be seeing JESUS soon. We think that things are difficult for us and we feel sorry for ourselves from time to time. Do we have a reasonable point of reference to judge if we really should be feeling sorry for ourselves? PROBABLY NOT... Now, here's a mystery that I wish that I knew more about: many of these children were suffering and knew they were dying, but they didn't feel sorry for themselves. They were an inspiration to others and they actually taught so-called normal people how to live. Many of them also had some of the strongest testimonies for CHRIST that I've ever heard. If you haven't already guessed, there's nothing to be feeling sorry for yourself if you're going to JESUS for eternity. Putting everything into a proper perspective, Christians should be the happiest people on earth, and there really isn't ever a reason for Christians to feel sorry for themselves.I've thought many times about how much extra effort is required by many people just to make it through a day. I've tried to compare that effort and think about what completely abled people would be capable of if they put out equal effort.
I know it would be amazing, especially in good works by a Christian for GOD. This brings up a related question that many people have about dying Christians who linger on and on. Maybe they served GOD most of their lives and others think that GOD should go ahead and take them home to end their suffering. Well, I think that many of us have the answer: GOD still has work for them to do in this life. This is a very difficult thing for many young Christians to understand, but it really makes perfect sense if you think about it. ALMIGHTY GOD knew exactly how many seconds each one of us would live before the foundation of the world, and HE also knew exactly what we would do in our last days, hours, and minutes. It really becomes a very simple matter: GOD'S WILL be done, and it will be!We will be praying for the parents here who have children with various problems. We will also be praying for the children. Nobody can say that they understand unless they are standing in your shoes, but we do know beyond any doubt that everything works out for good to them who love GOD. Only GOD knows how much of a positive impact they will have on those around them.
KEEP LOOKING UP!!
Love In Christ,
Tom
Ephesians 3:11-13 NASB This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
