All day long my enemies insult me. Those who ridicule me use my name as a curse. ~ Psalm 102:8, NOG ~ In the book THE HELP, set in early 1960's Jackson, Mississippi, a housekeeper named Aibileen carries out a subtext in the story line by supplying her homely charge, Mae Mobley, with the love she is so sadly lacking from her own mother. Each day, Aibileen rocks the young girl, counteracting … [Read more...]
Special Needs, Special Community
When the young woman flashed me a friendly smile and asked, “How are you?” my involuntary shrug and the words “I’ve been better,” tumbled out before I could stop myself. I could have sworn I meant to offer her the obligatory “Fine,” followed by my typical Sunday greeting smile. My veneer, however, had worn too thin to hide the stress of another morning battle with my son with autism, the young man … [Read more...]
How to Find Prosperity in Hardship
Maybe you are familiar with the amazing promise of Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Like me, maybe you've prayed this promise over your child's bedside at night. When my daughter Elise was born, I was given this verse in a beautiful frame that now hangs on her bedroom … [Read more...]
Will Medicaid Determine Where our Children Live?
If you're reading this blog, you love a child—maybe several children—with a disability. I don’t know how old he is, or what her disability might be. I don’t know if you’re a mom, a dad, a grandparent, an aunt, uncle, or caregiver. I can safely guess that everything within you desires for this beautiful child to grow into his or her God-given potential. It’s hard to fathom when … [Read more...]
Faith of Our Fathers
It was inevitable. With two career Air Force grandfathers, at least one of our children was bound to inherit the military gene. Our first clue should have been David’s penchant for drab green and all-things-camouflage. Hands down, his happiest Halloween he dressed as an army soldier. Over the years, as his collection of little green men grew into battalions and his interests graduated to books … [Read more...]
The Power in the Name of Jesus
Being a special needs parent is like climbing a great mountain. Let's face it, sometimes it's downright overwhelming. When the journey begins—and you received that unexpected diagnosis—you suddenly find yourself at the base of a great mountain. The scale of this mountain is enormous and the trail that leads to the summit is rocky at best. Standing at its base looking upward, thoughts of … [Read more...]