Perhaps you know my family – You see a happily married couple with two kids, 2 cars, a dog and a cat living in a middle class home in a nice subdivision. We go to church and pay our bills. Sounds pretty average doesn’t it?
If you choose to walk closer with me on this earthly journey, you will see one of my children has Down syndrome. You will see me trying my best to treat her as I treat my oldest daughter – as normally as possible but I must make some adjustments in dealing with her uniqueness. It is part of living with her special needs. Still my family is more like yours than not.
Many will shy away from getting closer. Perhaps they think they really don't want to know what I deal with. I invite you to walk with me. I invite the Church to walk with me. I want you to know my blessings and my joys. The challenges come and go but the joys and the blessings are constant. I want you to see Reagan’s gifts and the added dimension she brings to our lives and what she can offer to the faith community.
Sadly, a large part of the faith community fails to recognize my daughter’s gifts and talents. They fail to see her as an asset, as one who has something to contribute to the Body of Christ.
I’m not speaking of the church we belong to now. Reagan is loved and cherished as a child of God in our present church. They love her for who she is. The path was long but we now have a place to worship, a place where she is welcomed and cared about. The congregation contributes to her spiritual growth and she contributes to spiritual growth of our faith community. There is mutuality present with God in the center. I am deeply moved by where God has led us on our journey but it hasn’t always been easy.
I could name some very special people here who have been our friends throughout Reagan’s life. They have done great things in the little things they offered us. If you are reading this you know who you are. I thank you for your ear, your friendship and the many ways you have blessed us. I thank God for putting you in our lives.
There is a growing movement in the Church in meeting the spiritual needs of individuals with special needs and families raising children with special needs. It requires change. It requires opening hearts and minds. It requires you to walk alongside us. Walk alongside us in faith and love. Be blessed as we have been blessed in knowing this soul, which is not disabled but quite gifted, as we all doing our best to live out the Gospel.
Soon to come - what you can do!
If you choose to walk closer with me on this earthly journey, you will see one of my children has Down syndrome. You will see me trying my best to treat her as I treat my oldest daughter – as normally as possible but I must make some adjustments in dealing with her uniqueness. It is part of living with her special needs. Still my family is more like yours than not.
Many will shy away from getting closer. Perhaps they think they really don't want to know what I deal with. I invite you to walk with me. I invite the Church to walk with me. I want you to know my blessings and my joys. The challenges come and go but the joys and the blessings are constant. I want you to see Reagan’s gifts and the added dimension she brings to our lives and what she can offer to the faith community.
Sadly, a large part of the faith community fails to recognize my daughter’s gifts and talents. They fail to see her as an asset, as one who has something to contribute to the Body of Christ.
I’m not speaking of the church we belong to now. Reagan is loved and cherished as a child of God in our present church. They love her for who she is. The path was long but we now have a place to worship, a place where she is welcomed and cared about. The congregation contributes to her spiritual growth and she contributes to spiritual growth of our faith community. There is mutuality present with God in the center. I am deeply moved by where God has led us on our journey but it hasn’t always been easy.
I could name some very special people here who have been our friends throughout Reagan’s life. They have done great things in the little things they offered us. If you are reading this you know who you are. I thank you for your ear, your friendship and the many ways you have blessed us. I thank God for putting you in our lives.
There is a growing movement in the Church in meeting the spiritual needs of individuals with special needs and families raising children with special needs. It requires change. It requires opening hearts and minds. It requires you to walk alongside us. Walk alongside us in faith and love. Be blessed as we have been blessed in knowing this soul, which is not disabled but quite gifted, as we all doing our best to live out the Gospel.
Soon to come - what you can do!
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