Author : Nina Fuller
"You've got to be kidding!" I declared to the bus driver who had just called to make plans to pick up Tess for the new school year. In our school district, for safety's sake, children with special needs like Tess get on the bus in front of their home, opposed to the rest of the neighborhood kids who must walk to a designated bus stop. Each school day in past years began when the bus picked my daughter up at 7:50 am. It was like pulling teeth to get her up, awake, and through the morning routine in time to catch the bus at that decent time for 180 days of the school year. Being ready for the bus at 7:00 am would be like pulling teeth out of a lion's mouth instead of a little girl with Down syndrome!"You mean to tell me that you have to pick her up at 7:00 AM every morning? We live five minutes from school and she will be on the bus for over an hour? I don't think so" I exclaimed with dismay. "I guess we will just plan on taking Tess to school in the morning and you can bring her home on the bus after school.""She will be the first to get dropped off. I'll have her home about 3:15 each day" Mary Lou, the sweet bus driver, stated. "Sorry for the change in our route this year."I knew it wasn't Mary Lou's fault but that didn't change the inconvenience of this new schedule. The next morning I promptly called the transportation department of our school system and voiced my concern about putting my daughter with special needs on the bus for over an hour each morning. Not surprisingly, the superintendent was too busy to take my call and I had to leave a message. I still have not heard from him, but that's okay this time.In the meantime, my husband, Andy, or I have taken Tess to school, and you know what? We like it! We enjoy it! Tess does, too! She feels special. It gives us a little bit of time with just her each morning as we make the little trek through the back roads to school. Her teacher even commented to us that Tess seems calmer and more relaxed.What I had initially perceived to be an insult on our schedule has turned into something good and beneficial to each of us. We could have fought for the system to re-route the others, even hire another driver if necessary to accommodate what I wanted. I could have insisted that the new schedule was ridiculous and a hardship. I could have been aggressive and manipulative to get my way. Instead, we are blessed every morning with some sweet benefits of surrendering to the change made by others out of our control.The poet, Edith Lillian Young, has penned something I want to share with you today. For any Phil Keaggy fans out there, he has also put the lyrics to music. Here is the poem for you to reflect, absorb and recall as you go about your challenging lives:Disappointment -- His Appointment"
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing,
Tho' it may come in disguise,
For the end from the beginning Open to His wisdom lies."Disappointment -- His Appointment"
Whose? The Lord, who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;
For, like loving earthly parent,
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts, UNQUESTIONED,
All that from His wisdom flows."Disappointment -- His Appointment"
"No good thing will He withhold,"
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold,
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust,
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just."Disappointment -- His Appointment"
Lord, I take it, then, as such.
Like the clay in hands of potter,
Yielding wholly to Thy touch.
All my life's plan in Thy moulding,
Not one single choice be mine;
Let me answer, unrepining --
"Father, not my will, but Thine."- Edith Lillian YoungLearning to accept changes in my life,NinaNina Fuller, founder of Living Proof Testimonies, is a highly demanded speaker at retreats, schools, youth groups, banquets, radio and television shows, Pro-Life events, and college campuses across the nation. Nina is the founder and director of SMILE on Down Syndrome, which is a network of support for parents with Special Needs children. Nina is the author of one of the most needed books in print today, Special Strength for Special Parents - 31 Days of Spiritual Therapy for Parents of Special Needs Children. Nina was a finalist for Mother of the Year 2006. She and her husband Andy have five beautiful children, attend Bethel Temple, and live happily in Newburgh, IN. Visit Nina online at http://www.NinaFuller.org
Keyword : Special Needs, Down Syndrome, Nina Fuller
สมัครสมาชิก:
ส่งความคิดเห็น (Atom)
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น