Have you ever had one of those inner nudgings you were pretty sure was God, so you kind of tucked it away in your heart and then one day it all took shape? Well, that has just happened to me.
Several months ago I really had the strong sense God was going to use our church to reach children with special health care needs and their families. I tucked it away in my heart. We did have kids with various health and medical issues--two with fairly serious ones--but it seemed like it was something bigger than that.
About six weeks ago a family with a little girl with some serious needs visited our church and then attended a two-day workshop we hosted. The parents' relief at relizing their daughter would be accepted and well cared for in our children's ministry was palatable. The mom had hardly been to church in the two years since their daughter's diagnosis, and the workshop they attended was their first adult outting in almost the same time. As I prayed about how we would keep their daughter safe in our children's ministry, I saw the faces of three of our very compassionate and responsible youth. They agreed to be trained to be her buddies, and one of them is with our little lady whenever she is in children's church.
Today another family visited, also with a child with some serious needs and delays. They tentatively brought their daughter back to the chidren's wing thinking probably the safest place for her was the nursery but a bit cautious about the whole scene. I suggested they also consider the primary class (3-6yos), but assured them they were welcome to do whatever was most comfortable for them. One of the moms who often volunteers as an assistant agreed to be an extra assistant in the class, which helped set the parents' mind at ease. They thanked me profoundly and went out for the adult teaching. After church we visited more about their daughter's and family's needs and how we could best meet them. They seemed surprised, grateful, and relieved at how well it went and also commented on how hard it was for them to go to church.
When God promises to work all things together for good, this is one of those situations He was talking about. If our dear Abby had not had the problems she had/has, I would not have joined an internet community for parents of kids with neurological problems and would have been much less well prepared for all this. We also wouldn't have met Anne, our wonderful Hippotherapy Physical Therapist who is now working with a family from our church to run a non-profit organization which provides hippotherapy and therepeutic riding to area youngsters. And when the first child with serious special needs began attending our church several years ago, I wouldn't have known to connect her with Anne. He is now walking with the aide of ski poles and has paved the way for our future generations of kids with special needs!
Wow. This was a long one. God just really confirmed this was Him today.
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1 comment:
That is cool Laurie. Thanks for sharing it.
Carol
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