I’m happy to introduce Carol Steinbach to you as she writes today about the privilege of sharing Just the Way I Am with a young friend. Thank you, Carol, for this example! I hope that many of you, as you receive and experience this book, will share your stories as well.
Last night after work I had supper with some very dear friends who have two children, Wellsley (6) and Graham (4). I brought the family a copy of Just the Way I Am.
Before supper the dad sat on the couch and read the book to Wells. As they read through the book, she was surprised and excited — one of the families in the book is in their small group and she recognized pictures of “her friend Andrew!” After her dad finished reading the book to her, she sat with it on her lap, paging through it, reading parts of it to herself. When she was done I heard her comment, “God loves me just the way I am, too.” Later that evening she asked her mom to read the book to her again. Then she brought the book to me and we snuggled down together to look at it.
At the end of the book, after the “Krista’s Story” section, are some discussion questions. Question 3 is, “What can I do to befriend a person with a disability?” Wells and her mom and I talked about it together, and she came up with some ideas: sit next to someone at school, smile, be friendly, don’t stare.
Question 4 is, “What talents and gifts do people with disabilities have?” She didn’t quite grasp it, so we opened the book to the first picture and I asked her, “What is this little girl good at?”
As we went through the book page by page her answers amazed me. “She’s good at spinning.” “They are good at being friends.” “He’s good at smiling.” “They’re good at loving each other.” “He’s good at letting his brother feed him.” “She’s good at laughing.” “He’s good at trusting his daddy.” “He’s good at soccer” (actually wheelchair basketball, but I didn’t correct her). “He’s good at playing.”
On page 25 there is a poignant photo of a young man sitting alone on a broken tree limb. The text on the facing page says, “Even when I am sad and hurting, God is with me.” Wells thought for a bit and said “He’s good at wanting a friend.”
The Works of God 
That young man who is our son, Aaron, is so good at wanting a friend. When you meet him you will see that clearly. If you are willing to greet him down within his line of vision, he will literally pull you in and give you a big hug. That precious girl could see the heart of our son..something that many adults miss because they don’t know what to say or how to act around a young man who can not walk or talk..and yet has such an incredible spirit of joy and love to share with those willing to step into his world..and be touched.
Thanks for sharing this story!
Thanks for sharing this, Julie!
Thanks for sharing the story Carol, by simplifying a question, I was able to understand the insight of a six year old.