THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM

"...faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)

When I was young, I remember having a young cousin that was severely mentally challenged. When we went to visit the family, I would stand by her and listen to her growl and yell at me. Her mom would explain that she was trying to express her love but it came out in a different way than ours. Is that not beautiful?!

As I have grown up and come upon someone with a disability I begin to wonder how they are expressing their love. I may catch myself looking their way for moments that would be defined -- too long. Maybe misinterpreted as "staring" or being "rude" if I am not careful. I could go back to that time as a child and wonder how this precious child of God is trying to speak. What is their language of love. How can I speak back, that I love them too. That God loves them. That they are so very special.

Not every time should I be expected to do that. That sometimes silence is ok. As they were given their own guardian angels. I may silently pray. I may engage in a beautiful conversation. Each situation will be different…. I just have to listen to my Abba's call.

One thing life has taught me….. Is it is not those with a disability that are disabled….. It is us around them….. We are challenged in our daily living.. How freely does a child, an adult live with limitations? They do not realize their limitations most of the time…. And they walk freely in the world God gave them….teaching us around them…..

Visit : Ivey The Alternative
(picture of Ivey)....little princess.... the most precious girl you'll ever meet....her way of love is rubbing her face on you.... sweet smells.... oh my...