The Bible for Women

Weekly Devotional

Our Special Needs Kids

Children with special needs are dear to my heart because I work with them every day and because I have dear friends who are raising these special kids. Do these precious souls matter to God? Absolutely. Ask anyone or ask yourself if you have ever worked with these children or if you are currently raising a child with special needs if these children are blessings? The answer is yes, yes. Do these children exhibit behaviors that can be challenging? Some do. Do they communicate inappropriately at times? Some do. Do they always understand you? No. Do we always understand them? No. I have seen the tears of moms and dads who become so frustrated in the day to day rearing of these children. I have seen fear in their faces because they are worried about what will happen to their babies when they become too old to take care of them. I see the disappointment in the faces of these children when they don't always meet the expectations set before them. I have heard the laughter and seen the stares of people who are afraid of children with disabilities.

I have also had the experience of seeing these children meet a goal at Special Olympics. I recently watched kids with disabilities hit a baseball for the first time at a ballpark and stood next to a mother with tears streaming down her face thanking the park for creating this opportunity for her child. I have listened to my seven- year- old have a conversation with someone with autism discuss toothpaste and become absolutely fascinated. Not judgemental, but fascinated. I have watched children argue over who got to push a student's wheelchair to the library. I have seen middle school students reach up to take the hand of a fellow student with Down's Syndrome and lead him across the street- unafraid.

Jesus told us in Mark 10:13-16, " Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Does Jesus love the little children as we sing? His actions show he does. Are we striving to be like Jesus? Will these children be in heaven with us? Most certainly. Will we be in heaven with them? That is the question. Will we receive these children with disabilities as our own children do? With innocence and tender hearts? Will we reach out to the parents of these special kids and pray for them, hold their hands, understanding that their struggles are very unique and challenging?

Why did God put children on this earth with disabilities? Moses asked God in Exodus 4:10, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." In verse 11, "The Lord said to him, 'Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?'" In Verse 12 God says, "Now go; I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say."

We must never underestimate the power of God. God uses people of all abilities to do his great work. These children can be a blessing to us and can be used to spread the truth of God and the light of God. Throughout the Bible, God used very ordinary people to further his kingdom, including those with disabilities. He sent Moses to establish a nation. He healed the deaf, the lame, the blind so that they may glorify God in their healing and in their faith.

Let us continue to pray for those of all abilities. Let us pray that God will use ALL of us to his glory and let us look for the ways that these special children can bless our lives and be a blessing to others. Let us reach out to their families and help them.

Mark 10:27, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God, all things are possible with God.' "

May God bless your week. Margie