I was reading through the Bible tonight and I have to share a few quick thoughts.
The Bible says that not death, nor life, angels nor demons, the present nor the future-NOTHING in all of creation is able to separate you from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ. I have read that passage several times; I'm pretty sure I even put that verse on my wedding program. This time though, when I read that not even an angel can get in the way of God's love towards me, I experienced a joy that I wish for everyone to experience. Can you fathom that? God the Creator of all things loves me and loves me intensely!
When I read the bible, each time I read a verse I get something different from what I have read. This is only natural because I am experiencing different things in life each time I read. I must have read this last April if I put this on my wedding program! Even then, it did not impact me the way it did tonight. Why? I don't know. The Holy Spirit just hit me with it tonight. Perhaps because I am more focused. I am alone with God with absolutely no distractions (like a wedding). God speaks to me continually through moments like these, in times of being alone.
One on one time with God is powerful. One on one time reading the bible is powerful. Reading the bible is incredibly more impacting than a devotion or watching a sermon on YouTube. I do both of those things too, but they do not nourish me spiritually the way reading the bible does. Reading the bible is gut wrenching and terrifying and wonderful and encouraging and relevant (every single time) and intense. I used to open a little devotion book every morning, read a verse with a supporting paragraph and expect that to last me through out the day. Uhhh no. Not going to happen. I used to want something "quick" because I was busy. Uhhhh no again. I want God in a quick dose and I want Him to work miracles?! No. God wants time with you. Sometimes He is quick. Sometimes, He isn't. I tell you what He is all of the time no matter what or when or for how long: Powerful. He gives you power and speaks to you directly through reading the bible and the Holy Spirit guides you through that process. I physically experience symptoms of the Holy Spirit when I read the bible, too. I sometimes get hot, or have goosebumps or butterflies. The Living God is with me when I open up that book and let Him speak to me. Tonight He told me that I am not alone, I am with the Creator of all. He loves me passionately and nothing in this world or any other world can get in the way of that. I am not sure why He wanted me to know that tonight. Maybe so I would share with others or maybe to prepare me for an upcoming trial. Maybe He just wanted to remind me. I am not sure, but I am glad He did.
If you have never read the bible before I encourage you to pray before opening it. Be totally honest with the Lord and tell Him your questions, fears and reservations. Don't hold back...He's God! He can read your mind anyway! Then ask Him to speak to you through His book. I recommend reading John, Hebrews or Galatians first if you are a first time reader.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
The "Disabled"
God has given me countless gifts this year but He gave me one in particular that outweigh them all; the privilege of working with people with intellectual disabilities and their families. I learned a few things that I am desperate to share with anyone and everyone I come across!
First though, I should mention that during this experience I was developing my prayer life. That is a fancy way of saying I was talking to God more often, more intensely and more sincerely. I had no idea He was going to answer me in such powerful ways. I asked Him for two things. First, I asked Him to surround me with other believers. Then I asked for understanding of people with intellectual disabilities. Why are they "disabled"? Why are their parents and siblings suffering all around the world as a result of someone with a "disability"? Here is what our truly loving and glorious God shared with me through the most wonderful and inspiring people I have ever had the privilege of meeting.
Maureen is tall and truly beautiful. She has a soft voice but a commanding presence. She is a very successful woman in the worldly sense of the word "successful". She is strong, and has gone through much trouble and suffering. I could tell the first time I met her she was different but I couldn't put my finger on what it was until she shared her story. Then I realized, the Spirit of God is inside of this woman.
She has a son named Brian with severe intellectual disabilities. Maureen explained that her son has heightened senses. His taste is more acute. Sounds are louder and touch is more intense. One night there was a bad storm that lasted several days and it scared him. He couldn't understand the loud wind and pouring rain. I guess there was thunder too, which scares me also! There was nothing Maureen could do for her son to comfort him. She tried to explain to him that it is just a storm and it will pass away. As a result, Brian became afraid of the water. Maureen and her family live on the beach, but Brian never enjoyed the water until one calm day he just plunged in knee deep and looked out at the vast ocean. Maureen said after that moment there was an overwhelming sense of peace for Brian. Peace. Glorious peace. (She told the story much better...but you get the idea.)
Is this not a depiction of our lives? It is a direct reflection of mine. I am just like Brian! I get scared when I am taken out of my comfort zone. I get angry even! When I don't see relief right away I panic. When I don't have a plan I run around wildly trying to find control. Meanwhile God knows exactly what is going on, knows precisely the next step and is just waiting for me to relinquish control and let Him work in my life. The storm is just like the world. The world is loud and completely chaotic. It is scary and dark. Life sometimes feels like a storm, too. Sometimes it seems like the storm will never pass. The water is Jesus who is eternal peace once we step into it. We have to accept His peace and step into His wonderful and saving presence. Brian has learned that storms will pass. Have I? Brian learned that the calm water is beautiful, enriching and wonderful, just like Jesus. Have I? I believe so, but do I do so? Maureen does, and she did. She willingly gave her life to God-and He has already kept His faithful promises to her and is continuing to do so. He is using Maureen, Brian and her family for His glorious purpose. How many of us will die without a sense of purpose? How many of us will live out our lives without completing the mission God gave us?
Maureen does not have an intellectual disability. She has a successful company and earthly duties as a business woman. God has blessed her with wealth with the expectation to share with others, but that is not her purpose. She has a real and true purpose appointed to her by God! God made her the wonderful mommy of sweet Brian, HIS beloved child! He chose her to take care of Brian. Some people in the world believe it is a curse. That is a lie. To be chosen to care for the "least of these" is to care for Jesus Christ himself. God says so! What a gift! Maureen is among the blessed, so do not ever feel sorry for someone who has a child with special needs. That child was created by the Lord. In too many cultures it is believed that parents did something wrong or are being cursed by god if they bear a child with a "disability". My God does not say that. In fact He says this about people with disabilities "Neither man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so the work of God might be displayed in his life" John 9:3
Brian does have an intellectual disability. He does not have success in the worlds eyes. It is hard for him to do things that are so easy for people without a disability. BUT Brian is being used by God to change lives. Brian has a purpose given by our God. Brian is not disabled, he is ABLE through Christ who strengthens him. Brian's life will be used to Glorify God- and isn't that the point of life?
I met so many people with awesome stories like Maureen's. I may write about them all one day! I will never again look at someone with a "disability" and pitty them. I will never again look at the things they can not do. I will always be reminded of what God can and will do through them. So to wrap it all up, I would say God answered my prayers in a much cooler way than I could have every asked for. Amen!
First though, I should mention that during this experience I was developing my prayer life. That is a fancy way of saying I was talking to God more often, more intensely and more sincerely. I had no idea He was going to answer me in such powerful ways. I asked Him for two things. First, I asked Him to surround me with other believers. Then I asked for understanding of people with intellectual disabilities. Why are they "disabled"? Why are their parents and siblings suffering all around the world as a result of someone with a "disability"? Here is what our truly loving and glorious God shared with me through the most wonderful and inspiring people I have ever had the privilege of meeting.
Maureen is tall and truly beautiful. She has a soft voice but a commanding presence. She is a very successful woman in the worldly sense of the word "successful". She is strong, and has gone through much trouble and suffering. I could tell the first time I met her she was different but I couldn't put my finger on what it was until she shared her story. Then I realized, the Spirit of God is inside of this woman.
She has a son named Brian with severe intellectual disabilities. Maureen explained that her son has heightened senses. His taste is more acute. Sounds are louder and touch is more intense. One night there was a bad storm that lasted several days and it scared him. He couldn't understand the loud wind and pouring rain. I guess there was thunder too, which scares me also! There was nothing Maureen could do for her son to comfort him. She tried to explain to him that it is just a storm and it will pass away. As a result, Brian became afraid of the water. Maureen and her family live on the beach, but Brian never enjoyed the water until one calm day he just plunged in knee deep and looked out at the vast ocean. Maureen said after that moment there was an overwhelming sense of peace for Brian. Peace. Glorious peace. (She told the story much better...but you get the idea.)
Is this not a depiction of our lives? It is a direct reflection of mine. I am just like Brian! I get scared when I am taken out of my comfort zone. I get angry even! When I don't see relief right away I panic. When I don't have a plan I run around wildly trying to find control. Meanwhile God knows exactly what is going on, knows precisely the next step and is just waiting for me to relinquish control and let Him work in my life. The storm is just like the world. The world is loud and completely chaotic. It is scary and dark. Life sometimes feels like a storm, too. Sometimes it seems like the storm will never pass. The water is Jesus who is eternal peace once we step into it. We have to accept His peace and step into His wonderful and saving presence. Brian has learned that storms will pass. Have I? Brian learned that the calm water is beautiful, enriching and wonderful, just like Jesus. Have I? I believe so, but do I do so? Maureen does, and she did. She willingly gave her life to God-and He has already kept His faithful promises to her and is continuing to do so. He is using Maureen, Brian and her family for His glorious purpose. How many of us will die without a sense of purpose? How many of us will live out our lives without completing the mission God gave us?
Maureen does not have an intellectual disability. She has a successful company and earthly duties as a business woman. God has blessed her with wealth with the expectation to share with others, but that is not her purpose. She has a real and true purpose appointed to her by God! God made her the wonderful mommy of sweet Brian, HIS beloved child! He chose her to take care of Brian. Some people in the world believe it is a curse. That is a lie. To be chosen to care for the "least of these" is to care for Jesus Christ himself. God says so! What a gift! Maureen is among the blessed, so do not ever feel sorry for someone who has a child with special needs. That child was created by the Lord. In too many cultures it is believed that parents did something wrong or are being cursed by god if they bear a child with a "disability". My God does not say that. In fact He says this about people with disabilities "Neither man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so the work of God might be displayed in his life" John 9:3
Brian does have an intellectual disability. He does not have success in the worlds eyes. It is hard for him to do things that are so easy for people without a disability. BUT Brian is being used by God to change lives. Brian has a purpose given by our God. Brian is not disabled, he is ABLE through Christ who strengthens him. Brian's life will be used to Glorify God- and isn't that the point of life?
I met so many people with awesome stories like Maureen's. I may write about them all one day! I will never again look at someone with a "disability" and pitty them. I will never again look at the things they can not do. I will always be reminded of what God can and will do through them. So to wrap it all up, I would say God answered my prayers in a much cooler way than I could have every asked for. Amen!
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