It’s no secret.
I’ve shared many times here on my blog that I used to be one of those people. It wasn’t that I didn’t care about people who had special needs. No, not at all. I have always cared about people in general. It’s just that, well, I didn’t know.
I didn’t know what a blessing from heaven they truly are.
I didn’t know how much richer and more awesome my life would be simply because I am the proud mommy to a few of these angels.
My life has changed so much in the last few years. I cannot even tell you. I am different.
On Friday we did “Volunteer to Cheer” at the Special Olympics.
It was the first time we have ever been to one of these incredible events.
Oh my goodness!
There are no words to describe what it did to my heart to see these precious, precious people trying with all their hearts…
Even if it meant just one very, very small jump.
With a little help.
It was truly one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed.
When most of us would be literally falling over the finish line after running 4 laps around the track–in buckets of sweat (on a 100 degree day), with pain and anguish written all over our faces…not these guys! Uh-uh. Nothing but smiles and pure joy that they did it! Pretty darn amazing. They put me to shame.
The distance? It didn’t matter.
The final time they finished the race in? It didn’t matter either.
What mattered the most was that each and every competitor was someone! They were people. They were humans created in the image of an amazing God. They were not nameless or left in a building and forgotten about. Oh no…they were given an opportunity to be a somebody, not a nobody! They proudly carried their names at the back of their shirts as they strutted around the stadium–heads held high, a twinkle in their eyes.
Each and every person was someone…with a destiny, a purpose, and a very special place in this world.
Oh my…they were celebrated!
It was such a totally life-changing thing for me to witness.
I sat in the crowd thinking about a sweet YouTube video that a friend recently sent to me. If you have not yet seen this, I urge you to. It is quite amazing. The story of a young man with a gift–and a past no child should ever have to endure.
I cry every time I watch that. Not just because that kid has the most amazing voice (with zero voice training), but mainly because of his story. A former orphan boy who carries the scars of a life of abandonment and abuse, now being given a chance to be someone. Such sweet redemption.
Shouldn’t every human being on the planet be able to feel like they’re someone?
Needed.
Special.
Unique…just the way they are.
Valuable contributors to society.
Priceless treasures.
I believe with all my heart that each and every child in this world deserves an to opportunity to discover their God-given passions and abilities. It’s a beautiful thing to watch a child with an unthinkable history (like our Haven and Hailee) rise from the ashes and blossom into something so lovely.
This coming week I will share some pretty amazing families with you. They all have one thing in common…
They’re all adopting a child who is just longing to be someone to anyone.
I can hardly wait to share their stories with you.
