The Works of God

Pastor John rightfully mentioned Brenda Fischer, the Disability Ministry Coordinator at Bethlehem, during his sermon on John 9:1-4.  She is a tremendous gift to Bethlehem and to dozens of families like ours!

And she is the first to say that the only reason it happens is because God gives her strength and God gives her volunteers.

Today marks the end of Sunday School for the year, and it seems appropriate to make a special thank you to all the volunteers who have served families like mine this past year.

In her most recent article in Bethlehem’s Family Discipleship newsletter, Forgetting the Label to the Glory of God, Brenda notes that we had 46 one-on-one aides this past year!  That is an extraordinary provision from God!  I only know a few of those volunteers, but the ones I have met all say the same thing:  I’m the one experiencing the blessing.

No, we still aren’t able to serve everyone; the need for more volunteers continues and I expect will increase.  But I can remember when we didn’t have ANY volunteers.

So, let us raise a prayer of thanksgiving for what God is already doing here and in many churches who are rising in their understanding of the God-granted dignity and value of people with disabilities.  And let us not stop asking for even more – more families, more people with disabilities, more volunteers, more connections, more wisdom, more capacities.  And most of all, more of God and the joy that comes from treasuring him above all things!