As most of you know by now, I have finished the World Race and I am now back in the States. I’m currently on the road on my on little adventure for the week. I want to back up a bit to Malaysia, my last month on the field…
My team and I had the opportunity to serve with a special needs home built on and ran off of a farm. We helped clear brush to plant more banana trees, maintain weeds around the lime trees, and more…
These tasks were all good and affected in order to help keep things running around the home. However, it was the family that made a lasting impact on my life.
In month 9 I asked the Lord to give me new opportunities that would stretch me out of my newfound comfort zones. Then in month 10 I was a school teacher for the first time. Month 11 would be my first time working with special needs. I didn’t really know how to feel. I was excited but yet a bit nervous about it and didn’t really know what to expect.
Every afternoon we were able to pour into this family by simply spending time with them coloring, playing football, reading, and teaching songs. So why was I nervous? Why was this going to be so stretching? All I could figure is it was because I was about to be striped even more of worldly mindsets… One that I had towards “special needs”, as if they were something less than a person.
The Lord gave me a new outlook… These people that we call special are just as capable as am. The Lord has just chosen to use them in a very unique way. These people that we call special aren’t special because of their disability; they are special for their ability to express a joy not seen in many other places. It’s the joy of the Lord. Though I fall short, it’s a joy that I want to choose into daily.
My buddy Carlvin will be one I’m constantly reminded of during moments that require me to choose joy. Despite his disability, his ability overcame. Choose joy today in down times. It’s contagious.
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
