His name was Bill. A quiet man, he was a strong believer who loved his wife and his three children. He worked at a local factory; always willing to help around the church serving God and his fellow brothers and sisters. But what made this man extraordinary, was his devotion to his son, Billy, who had Down Syndrome.
Every Sunday, Bill would be in his extraordinary class, teaching Billy Bible stories, singing songs, and giving life lessons with each one connected to the Bible stories of the day. At times others who had various disabilities would join the class. They discovered someone who cared about them and made time to teach them about God and how much God loved them.
NO DISABLED SOULS
I was the Pastor of Christian Education who saw a family who needed our help, but more than our help, they needed our love and respect. Our church needed to learn these same lessons and to reach out to Bill’s family as well as other families who had special needs children. One of the books I read at this time (and I read many on this subject realizing how little I knew) is “No Disabled Souls” by Jim Pierson. I realized we were venturing into an area that should have been addressed a long time ago.
FRIENDSHIP IS CRUCIAL
I also learned there were many things we could do better. A strategic point is referenced in Jim’s book, “Friendship is essential to human development; we need each other. People with disabilities need friendships with people who do not have disabilities.”
MEPHIBOSHETH
What does the Bible say? In 2 Samuel 9 tells us about a man named Mephibosheth. When Mephibosheth was just a five-year-old boy his father Jonathan was killed as well as his grandfather Saul. His own death was imminent until his fast-thinking nurse picked him up and rushed him off to safety. However, during all this hurrying, she dropped Mephibosheth and permanently injured his feet. Instant permanent disability for Mephibosheth.
Years later David wanted to show an act of kindness to someone in Jonathan’s family and he found out that Jonathan had a son. David is told: “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet” When David heard of this he responded: “Don’t be afraid. For I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will retore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather, and you will always eat at my table” (2 Samuel 9:1-8).
CRUCIAL POINTS
From this passage we learn 3 things that are so important in working with the disabled: 1. Show kindness. You may not always do or say the right thing, but if you do it in kindness, you will show the person that you care. 2. Restoration. Show them that you are not dealing with someone who is lacking anything, but someone who is rich by the grace of God. 3. Invite them to “your table.” As much as possible, let them know that you desire to be in their presence. Go ahead, share kindness with your disabled friend. Show them that they will always be welcome to eat at your table!
CHURCH IS RICHER WHEN EVERYONE PARTICIPATES
I am so glad that Grace Community Church is interested in beginning a ministry that will reach families like Bill’s. A ministry that addresses the needs of people with disabilities and how we as a church family can minister to them. We will discover that when we minister to them, they can much more fully minister to us! The church is richer when everyone participates.
How about you? Do you have a place in your heart to work with families who have a child like Billy with disabilities? Maybe God is calling you to be a buddy to come alongside and be a friend. Pray about it. See what God has to say.
Click to hear the outreach of Loryn Smith