Nearly twelve years ago, I stood in the middle of my kitchen holding a pregnancy test with a plus sign in the window. I was 38 years old and had given up hope that God would bless my husband and I with a second child. In fact, we had just moved to a new house and after years of trying, gave away all of our baby things to friends and the goodwill. It just goes to show that God has His own timing, His own will and a sense of humor!
Our now eleven year old has been a joy and a challenge. She definitely has her own mind! This is a good thing as an adult but certainly a source of frustration for me as the parent of a youngster. That determination has allowed her to pursue the gifts that God has given her. One such gift is singing and we have tried to nurture that through church choir and musicals, but the other is something more powerful. God has given her a heart for those with special needs and challenges and she has not only listened to the call; she has embraced it!
This year she is a 6th grader. It is her first year in middle school which we all know can be a challenge in itself; but in the first week, she noticed several children with physical and mental challenges at neighboring cafeteria tables. She got up from where she was sitting and went over to introduce herself to as many of them as she could. Can you imagine? What courage it took to do something so wonderful. Many of these students are seen as outcasts by their peers, but my daughter sees their souls instead of bodies and that is a gift that not many people have. She even approached the special needs coordinator at her school to volunteer as a student helper. Normally they do not allow 6th graders to help, but made an exception for her. At the end of each school day, she helps her buddy, Michael, get his coat on and strap his backpack to his wheelchair before making the trek to his bus.
As the parent of such a special person, I felt that it was my responsibility to help nurture this gift. While I have always had compassion for those with special challenges, I have never been all that comfortable interacting with them. This week, on Good Friday, my daughter and I will be volunteering with a ministry called SOAR at a local church. SOAR stands for Special Opportunities Abilities and Relationships. We can't wait to meet our new friend. I am excited to serve and to let my daughter take the lead in teaching me to step outside my comfort zone. I am excited for the opportunity God has given us to build new relationships with His most special souls and in turn, building a greater bond with the child he entrusted me with all those years ago!
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