I follow Noel Piper (and you should, too), but got behind and just recently saw the video that she posted last week: Made in God’s Image. It is a beautiful video. That young man is amazing and that father is the kind of father I want to be.
But after watching it I allowed my mind to wander to things that are not good for me:
- Wouldn’t it be great if my anophthalmic boy could do those same things?
- Boy, I wish I could talk to my son like that dad can talk to his son.
- This whole disability thing is just rotten.
- I think I deserve better than this.
You can see where it was headed.
Thankfully, it was just a moment. I have had seasons where I went on for a very long time in self-pity and bitterness. God was merciful that he didn’t let it go on longer as he quickly convicted me of my sin of not trusting in him and looking to him as perfect and sure provider of all my needs.
God’s word is more than just helpful in those moments; it is decisive:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
So, once again, God humbled me, convicted me, and carried me at the same time. He is truly awesome beyond description.
The Works of God 
I love that ‘let the weight’ go.
We place so many weights on our souls..when it’s not necessary. I struggle to.
Thank you for this.
Laughing and smiling Just watched the weight scale video!! Your funny!!
Life really is all about Jesus and He loves us no matter what disabilities we struggle with! He is our helper our healer and our deliverer!!
John, you are an example to us all. May our Sovereign God always keep you, your beautiful son, and your family looking to Jesus in good times and in hard times.
Praying for you.
Dear John,
my Caedmon has CP and is unable to do anything physical or verbal on his own… He is 3. I have come a long way In saying praise Jesus for the gift I have in carrying a special needs child. As you spoke of this life being all about Gods glory and not my own I can easily refelct on a daily basis the ways God chooses to allow me to capture glimpses of HIM through Caedmon and I know through faith that Caedmon touches way more lives with his disability than without. Thank you for your post, cha
I’m not a blogger or a blog reader, but my husband pointed me to your blog today via John Piper’s tweet….I am so glad. This was a breath of fresh air. Our oldest son TJ has autism and I ask those kind of questions/think those thoughts almost daily. Thank you for helping me remember to look to Jesus and to remember that He is the One who has set this race before us. “TJ” is Timothy, one who honors God, and while I never thought it would look like this when we named him, the Lord is glorified in his life and has sanctified me in ways I never would have imagined. Thank you for reminding me that God is using TJ’s life for His Glory.
Cheryl
I also stumbled on your blog through John Piper’s tweet. It is incredibly encouraging! I have a daughter who is Autistic and 8 now. I constantly struggle with wishing she was “normal.” Thank the Lord, He graciously redirects my thoughts. Audrey means noble strength and rightly so. Out of all my children (5) she is the most persevering. Fearfully and wonderfully made.. thank you again for the reminder.
I have seen that same video – in fact I believe they were on the Today Show as well. But in watching it I had the same temptation as you John. This young man is exceptional. He plays the piano and sings better than most able bodied people. I couldn’t help but notice that the Dad only seemed to find hope for his son after the musical talent became obvious. But what about the children who never sing, never play the piano, never learn to use a toilet or never even learn to hold their heads up. Is there hope for those of us who will never make it to the Today Show or wow people on Youtube? When these feelings of grief at having a significantly disabled child – even when they’re prompted by seeing a “remarkable” disabled boy – come in like a flood, I need to dig my fingernails in to hope and hang on for dear life! My favorites for those moments when sadness and self pity feel like a tsunami are 1 Cor 4:16-18 – Oh what a refuge these verses have been to me. “So we do not lose heart. … For this light momentary affliction (changing yet another messy diaper while the school bus waits) is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (this stretches my imagination!), as we look not to the things that are seen (drool dripping down a chin & soiling another clean outfit) but to the things that are unseen (God’s eternal purposes for me and my son). For the things that are seen are transient (dazzling performances on the Today Show), but the things that are unseen (glorious purposes for ever and ever and ever) are eternal!” So grateful He carries us!
Dear Kaydee
I was truly moved when I read your comment on this post and wanted to thank you for writing what you have. Although our daughter may not reach the world stage she is incredibly remarkable to God and to know He loves her and has an eternal purpose for her is a great comfort and privilegde to know. Thank you again and I am praying for you – in the quiet times and in the times of flooding grief.
Bless you John. Other posters have written of what their child’s name(s) mean and I want to encourage you with your name … JOHN means “YAWEH is gracious” Bless you, Brother, as you persevere, in Jesus’ name. We serve two twin girls who have CP. Both born at less than a pound (each) they have multiple physical and emotional challenges. We love them and ask the LORD to heal and restore their physical bodies. While this might not happen (completely) on earth we have the blessed hope that they will walk, RUN, laugh, talk, and praise the LORD in eternity. Grace and peace to you this day and always.
Well I also am not a regular blogger or blog reader either but John Piper’s tweet also directed me here. I am graduating with a degree in Special Education in a few months and have often thought about the students I have worked with. It has been a complete and total pleasure working with the children I have in the local schools. They are so dear and precious to our Lord and His light truly shines through them. Jesus constantly blesses me through my time with my students.
This is a perfect Blog for me! I just added that john piper..keep hearing about him and added him. I found his wifes blog a couple days ago!
I have a mentally I’ll twin sister. She had two children she had to give up. She was the only one of us three girls who had kids!
Well, my whole family is a bit disabled in one way or another. Including my self!!!!!!!!!
My desire for years has been to teach art to disabled..all in Gods time!
Jesus Bless you :O)