“God permits what He hates to accomplish that which He loves.”  (Joni Eareckson Tada- quoted in Accessible Church by Sandra Peoples-p.15)

We have several families affected by special needs children. One has Williams Syndrome (Google it). They adopted her knowing this. BTW: that’s love. We also have several on the autism spectrum. I realize we are not the only church with children (and adults) who have special needs. God blessed Jo and me with totally healthy children-the worst they had were chicken pox. So, in all honesty, I struggle relating to parents who experience this. I read a previous book (and blogged about it) called Unbroken Faith by Diane Dokko Kim, who has a child on the autism spectrum. But that was not enough. So I’m in the process of reading Mrs. Peoples’ book and have another I will read when done called Boundless Hope for Every Child by Kim Botto. (I don’t know if the latter is a “Christian” book or not. It just sounded good and one I needed to read).

I’ve just started the People’s book so I can’t say much about it. (I’m at page 25 as I write this). But I can say this-or sing this (nah you’d rather I say it) 🙂  “Jesus loves the little children/All the children of the world/Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight/Jesus loves the little children of the world.” I wish I was musically-inclined so I could add words to that song that included special needs children. We (the church) sometimes do a very poor job of making them feel welcome and we make the parents feel like they are imposing. I have to brag here: the little girl with Williams Syndrome is now 3+. She is unable to speak or get around on her own. She says, “Lalalala” which means “I love you.” My bragging? She absolutely loves my daughter, Tami, because Tami absolutely loves her and shows her. When Tami is in the room no one else matters (even her parents). She sees Tami at school and she lights up. She is getting too big for the nursery but is not potty-trained. That daughter of mine told mom that she would go into the Pre-K class and be her one-on-one helper. I love that Tami spends every day with Kindergarten kids and yet finds it in her heart to love on this little girl. And the little one knows Tami loves her. That’s what special needs children need (and parents of special needs children). Tami’s willingness to do this for the little girl is also because she loves her parents and wants to give them a break as well. The little girl is curious and wants attention so mom and dad would get very little from the adult worship with her sitting, i.e. squirming, on their lap. In steps Tami. 

And so it goes. In steps the church. Making a way for special needs children. THIS IS A MUST! And there can be no excuses. I’ll write more in future posts.