Growth Challenges
Bible Reading: Exodus 4:10-12
"Hi, Mom," said Emma as she and Robert came into the kitchen after school one day. "Is Andy awake? May I take him for a walk in the park?"
"Again? You sure give the baby enough attention! Don't you want to help me mow the lawn first?" teased Robert. "After all, I'm your brother, too."
Emma grinned. "Yeah, but you're not as cute and cuddly as Andy," she said.
When Emma and Robert came home from school the next day, Mom and Dad had just returned home, too. "Hi!" Emma greeted them. "You took Andy to the doctor today, didn't you?" She held out her arms. "Come here, Andy. What did the doctor say about you? Were you a good boy?"
"He was a very good boy," said Mom with a weak smile, "but you know we've been concerned that Andy isn't doing things most babies do at his age. When Doctor Ervin ran tests, he said we have to be prepared to accept the fact that Andy may be what he calls 'developmentally disabled.' Well, Doctor Ervin has the reports from the tests, honey, and Andy does have problems. We were told he'll be mentally challenged and we must not expect him to be able to learn like other kids."
Robert and Emma were startled. "You don't mean he's . . . he's going to be . . . different?" asked Emma with a slightly shaky voice. How could God allow such a thing to happen? she wondered.
Robert asked the question aloud. "Why would God allow that? Why?"
"We don't know why right now, and we may never know," Dad said solemnly. "But we believe God has a reason-a good reason-for everything He allows. Perhaps some day in heaven we'll know why, but for now, we'll just go on loving Andy and caring for him."
Emma burst into tears. "It's just not fair," she sobbed.
"This is hard to accept," agreed Dad, "but never think God is unfair. For reasons known only to Him, He makes some people extra special-with either physical or mental challenges. He loves them and has a purpose for their lives."
"We need to help Andy and love him the way God does-unconditionally," said Mom. "As Andy grows up, I know he will bring special blessings and happiness to our lives."
Memorize:
Who has made man's mouth . . . the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Exodus 4:11
How About You?
Do you know people with special challenges? Remember that everyone is disabled in some way. For example, some people can fix anything; others can't even change a tire. Some can read a page and then practically recite it; others can't even recite the ABCs. Never mock, stare at, or say unkind things about those with especially difficult challenges. God has a special purpose for their lives, too. They have much to offer. Smile at them, talk to them, and learn from them.
Key Thought of the Day: God has a purpose for each life
Growth Challenges
Bible Reading: Exodus 4:10-12
"Hi, Mom," said Emma as she and Robert came into the kitchen after school one day. "Is Andy awake? May I take him for a walk in the park?"
"Again? You sure give the baby enough attention! Don't you want to help me mow the lawn first?" teased Robert. "After all, I'm your brother, too."
Emma grinned. "Yeah, but you're not as cute and cuddly as Andy," she said.
When Emma and Robert came home from school the next day, Mom and Dad had just returned home, too. "Hi!" Emma greeted them. "You took Andy to the doctor today, didn't you?" She held out her arms. "Come here, Andy. What did the doctor say about you? Were you a good boy?"
"He was a very good boy," said Mom with a weak smile, "but you know we've been concerned that Andy isn't doing things most babies do at his age. When Doctor Ervin ran tests, he said we have to be prepared to accept the fact that Andy may be what he calls 'developmentally disabled.' Well, Doctor Ervin has the reports from the tests, honey, and Andy does have problems. We were told he'll be mentally challenged and we must not expect him to be able to learn like other kids."
Robert and Emma were startled. "You don't mean he's . . . he's going to be . . . different?" asked Emma with a slightly shaky voice. How could God allow such a thing to happen? she wondered.
Robert asked the question aloud. "Why would God allow that? Why?"
"We don't know why right now, and we may never know," Dad said solemnly. "But we believe God has a reason-a good reason-for everything He allows. Perhaps some day in heaven we'll know why, but for now, we'll just go on loving Andy and caring for him."
Emma burst into tears. "It's just not fair," she sobbed.
"This is hard to accept," agreed Dad, "but never think God is unfair. For reasons known only to Him, He makes some people extra special-with either physical or mental challenges. He loves them and has a purpose for their lives."
"We need to help Andy and love him the way God does-unconditionally," said Mom. "As Andy grows up, I know he will bring special blessings and happiness to our lives."
Memorize:
Who has made man's mouth . . . the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Exodus 4:11
How About You?
Do you know people with special challenges? Remember that everyone is disabled in some way. For example, some people can fix anything; others can't even change a tire. Some can read a page and then practically recite it; others can't even recite the ABCs. Never mock, stare at, or say unkind things about those with especially difficult challenges. God has a special purpose for their lives, too. They have much to offer. Smile at them, talk to them, and learn from them.
Key Thought of the Day: God has a purpose for each life