This week, I was reading from the book of John, chapter 9. The chapter is about a man who was blind and Jesus healed him. In the 2nd verse, from the Amplified Version, the disciples asked Jesus this question ” Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man or his parents sinned, but he was born blind in order that the workings of God should be manifested (displayed and illustrated) in him. I like The Message version of that same text. It reads… “Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.
This reminded me of a conversation I had with the President of Joni and Friends, Doug Mazza. Doug’s son Ryan, has profound disabilities and because of those disabilities, Doug became involved with Joni and Friends. God has used Joni Eareckson Tada’s ministry and her staff, to touch millions of lives around the world. Doug shared something with me that brought me to tears…no one had ever said anything like it to me before, but I believe it is a truth that ties in with the scriptures that I shared above. I’d like to share his words with you. I think it applies to all of our children with special needs.
Doug told me, that for every person that is touched because of my son’s life… for every person that finds encouragement and hope… for each person who is drawn closer to God through the sharing of his story and experiences… all of those things are counted as eternal rewards for my child. God allowed my son’s disabilities and trials, so that Jesus could be displayed through our situation and circumstances. When we can be steadfast in our sufferings… when we can give God praise and glory and cling to our faith… when we can help others with resources, support or compassion, because of the things we’ve learned from our children’s disabilities…all of those things will be jewels in our children’s heavenly crowns. We may be the mouth pieces for our children, but they are the living illustrations that teach unconditional love, grace, compassion and mercy.
Jesus knows first hand about suffering. We are told that those who share in His suffering, will also share in His glory. I have no doubt, that our children will share in that glory. I just want to encourage you today. God wastes nothing in our lives. What the enemy meant for harm, God will use for good. There is always a purpose for the pain He allows to touch our lives. What doesn’t make sense this side of heaven, will all become clear one day. I can’t help but smile and be excited, when I think of all that awaits for our kids when they come face to face with Jesus one day. Not only will they have newly restored bodies and minds, but all they went through in this life, will be celebrated, appreciated and rewarded. I don’t know about you, but that makes me eager to see, what God can do, as He manifests Himself through my child’s disabilities!
Here is a link to Ryan and Doug Mazza’s story and a message at the end of the video from Joni, who shares the same message that Doug shared with me. Click on Joni’s logo above to go to her website for many valuable resources.
http://www.joniandfriends.org/television/ryan-legacy-hope/
Blessings to you,
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“all of those things are counted as eternal rewards for my child.” I have never thought of it that way before, but I have often struggled with how much to share and how to do it when I’m speaking and writing. Thanks for sharing this insight!
Beautiful post Debbie! I have no experience with disabilities but I have experienced suffering and still am. I lost my husband almost 2 years ago and this post spoke to me deeply. I choose daily to live with pain and walk with acceptance knowing that His greater purpose is being fulfilled. I pray that God will continue to use you, your life story to bring glory to His name.
Thank you Felecia! Thank you for your encouraging words and all the support and encouragement you have shown me with my book. I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and for the pain that you and your children have had to face… I do pray for you and your children. I so admire your faith and courage and how you cling to Jesus. I just sent you a friend request on FB. I’d like to talk to you about something. Sending you big hug Felecia. You are loved!
Exactly! When we ended up with our daughter in the hospital , later diagnosed with epilepsy, I knew that God didn’t WANT that for our daughter but that it would be “part of His story ” for us. God would continue to use us along the way to share about love , mercy, and grace- unmerited favor. It’s our choice.
Well said Anna! Blessings upon you and your family!
Beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you Shannon! Hugs to you!
AMEN! I often have talks with friends and family about acceptance and non acceptance. When we accept that our children were created for a purpose and with a plan, no matter if they have disabilities or not, then the possibilities are endless. We live in a blame society. We want to blame someone for our problems. If we could get past the blame game, we would see so much hope.
Amen to that! Blessings to you and yours, Debbie