The Beautiful Lacy Collar

I had this picture enter my mind one evening after prayer: I first focused singularly on the beautiful lacy, intricate patterned collar….which I then took off and placed in Jesus’ lap.

It was a gentle reminder that in God’s eyes, I am beautiful, delicate, yet strong and have a desire for balance.  It was interesting to see the symmetry of the collar and how very interwoven all the thread was.  It reminded me of doilies my mom had when I was a little girl, that were crocheted in these intricate patterns.  

Our lives are incredibly busy and each of us wear many hats during the day.  To one we are spouse, to others, sibling, mom/dad, aunt or uncle, friend, or co-worker. To others we are artists, or quilters (often in the same breath!), musicians, engineers or auto mechanics. The list is endless and some days it’s a challenge to have symmetry or any type of balance in our lives.  That’s when we become frustrated, tired and less able to do our best.

Another thought crossed my mind, however.  The collar reminded me how even more are the special needs children, like the interwoven pieces of threads that creates a stunning pattern. These precious children are interwoven into our lives in ways we can barely fathom.  They generate a beauty all their own as their delicate personalities display themselves in a variety of different ways.

We are to live a life of value, because God values each single life, whether we are rich or poor, smart or not so much, social or more withdrawn, short or tall, a talented musician or garbage collector.   Regardless of any status, we are all beautiful in the eyes of God!

Much like the lacy collar I removed and placed in Jesus’ lap are the special needs children of our world.  Our culture has a difficult time seeing past what they consider “flaws” which Christ sees as beautiful birth marks; his own intimate creations.

These children are able to teach us about genuine kindness and love, because that is how they perceive life, rather than tainted with the gray discoloration of meanness, hate, rejection and even bigotry toward another human being.

Many special needs parents will tell you they are surprised at the depth of love they feel for their special needs child because they require, and draw out a profoundly unique sense of connection.  These parents give unselfishly to their children. As parents, we’d like to think we each give everything we’ve got to our kids.  That’s what parents do.  Yet, because of the unique needs of a special needs child, parents are required to dig even deeper within themselves to be able to respond to their precious gifts.

I believe God chooses who will be special needs parents (or teachers).  Their compassion and understanding and ability to cope with the unexpected, is remarkable!

I’ve learned much as I’ve written my special needs books, “The Paxton Series,” for these delightful children.  They are God’s special ‘little ones’ and I’m so glad to be a part of something so much larger than myself!  God is good and he knows just what we need and when we need it most!  I am indeed blessed.

If you pass a special needs child this week, look past any pre-conceived flaw.  Look through the eyes of God and see the beauty!  

Multiplied Blessings

          I was chatting with a friend recently who shared how her granddaughter needed prayers, and how she’d be traveling across the country soon, to bring together and spend time with two elderly sisters, who hadn’t seen each other in years.  She commented that life gets really busy sometimes with the many directions she feels pulled.  But when she stops to look at where she is in her life, she is blessed.  

The scenario she shared resonated with me and probably every person who reads this blog.  Still every person deals with some level of anxiety, worry and fear.  It’s how we handle these situations that determines our emotional health and our view of “blessings.”  When we can let go of the stress factors, and leave it in God’s control, we can breathe a little easier.  But that said, ‘letting go’ and not ‘picking them up again’ can be challenging!  We are after all human!

            Watching “The Chronicles of Narnia” last evening, it was fascinating to see how the trees responded to the needs of the people, and sent messages to those needing important information.  Do you ever think of yourself as a “tree” in a giant forest?  That may sound a little bizarre, but think a moment of one person who needs to get so much done, so much information moved from place to place (ignore the fact for the moment, we now have instant access to computer and other media); with so many places to be and “personalities” to fill!  

            Each “tree” in the forest in the movie, did their part and shared the ‘leaves’ they could to disseminate the pertinent information.  Because they worked together the ‘blessing’ of being prepared before the enemy came, sustained the warriors of Narnia.

            We aren’t supposed to be standing alone, ever!  We all have a circle of friends, and family we can call upon to help us with whatever we are going through.  Sometimes it’s really hard to accept (or ask for) help from outside sources because we believe we are supposed to be strong and sturdy enough to deal with whatever challenges life throws at us.  Anything less is to be weak, insufficient or incapable.

            The thing is, when we allow other ‘leaves from other trees’ to sustain us, we are allowing for not only us receiving a blessing but also the other leaf.  It’s often as important to the giver, as it is the recipient.

            I’m not suggesting all family and friend circles are ideal for such scenarios but, in truth, we all need someone.  We are a human race designed to need each other.  We are the ‘trees’ in each other’s lives.  I came across this scripture and found it so comforting and reassuring of this thought:  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers.   Psalm 1:3

            The next time you pass a forest, ask yourself if you are the tree in the forest ignoring all the other trees, even though your heart is screaming for understanding, comfort and care?  Or, are you the tree who can shake your branches and reach out to someone who may or may not display a need for kindness, encouragement or concern?

            If we focus on ways we can be ‘fruitful,’ being productive and prosperous would just come natural.

Standing On The Cliff

           

         About 25 years ago, my husband and I invited his mom to go on a month long vacation with us—and four of our five children.  Our oldest had left home by then and the youngest was only about 5.  We traversed across the United States, from one ocean to the other and then from the upper border into Canada and back down, crossing the southern border into Mexico, just to be able to say we’d been there!

            During our travels, we stopped at the Grand Canyon.  What a majestic place!  Walking the paths could almost make a person lose their balance as the depths of the areas you were scanning kept changing.  My mother-in-law chose to not walk those paths.  She opted to sit on a bench, safely away from any area too close to the edge.

            My husband is afraid of heights, but he enjoyed walking the paths and standing on solid ground near the steel bars that kept you from getting too close to the edge at the overlooks. A time or two I meandered near the edge where there were no rails and my husband immediately scolded that was I was too close to the edge.  He pointed out a rock could give way, I could slip or any other logical reason to get back, where it was safe.  He was right, of course and we made certain our children didn’t wander too close to the rim.  

            As I stood near the lip of the cliff, I found myself infused with awe of the wonder of this place.  I knew I should be frightened of being too close, but at the time I really wasn’t filled with fear of falling.  I felt grounded and inspired by the changing colors, the sheer depth and changing patterns as the sun and clouds moved over the formations within my sight.  

            I imagine our walk with God like this.  If I had to make decisions on my own, I couldn’t stand firmly with confidence that I wouldn’t fall.  There’s an energy that pulsates through my body as I think about God not allowing the boulder beneath my feet to break off and plummet down the side of the cliff.

            There are of course times when the sand beneath my feet shifts; or even small pebbles fracture, crack, and peel away, making me question my sanity of being where I am at all.  But I know, should a slide begin, God’s “got me.”  He’ll catch me if I slip.

            But to be safely in the hollow of His hand, I need to be deliberate about spending time with him, searching His Word and His Heart for His will in my life.  I’ve found when I’m digging deep for the “golden nuggets” found there, scriptures will sometimes seem to “leap” off the page at me, shouting for attention! 

            His Word is speaking to me.  The scriptures may be some I’ve read a hundred times before, but they’ve left the page at just the time I need them.  God is all powerful.  He will absolutely lead our lives when we are willing to stand on the cliff and allow him to take us places that leave us breathless.

            I encourage you to search for direction in your life and take the risks God is challenging you to. He’s not going to let you fall, if He is in control.  You can stand firmly, with confidence in the strength of His power, to do great and wonderful things, just the way he planned.