The Works of God

People stare.

Which is why you should pray for the siblings of children with disabilities as much as you do for moms and dads.

My Hannah is a ferocious protector of her older brother.  She is known in our house as ‘she-who-can-do-no-wrong’ because Paul trusts her completely about everything.

Her antenna is tuned to any slight she thinks is headed his way.  She hates it when people stare at Paul or our family.

Several years ago when she first began to notice people staring, she would consider my explanation that people just weren’t used to seeing boys like Paul, and we needed to be patient and kind.  She could accept that children might stare, especially children younger than she was.  But she has never gotten used to adults staring.  “Adults should know better,” she once said to me.

Yes, they should.  How do I encourage her to be respectful of adults who behave badly or speak utter nonsense in their ignorance?  It is a struggle for me to lead my children well in this area, and I expect it will get even harder.

But she keeps finding ways to make her point without being combative.  Over the summer we visited a pool and two boys were very curious about Paul.  She simply took him in her lap and held him, clearly stating without words, “he is loved.  He is protected.  He is my brother.”

Thank you, Lord, for this girl and for this boy!

First, Joe Eaton writes his post on suffering and the sovereignty of God last November.

On Wednesday I saw the final proofs of Krista Horning’s book, written with her mother Mary.  That book, Just the Way I Am, beautifully (through words and photographs) addresses God’s goodness and sovereignty in disability.  As the Lord wills, it will be in print in the coming months.  Watch for more information on that book here and elsewhere, because God has given us a book through Krista that does not currently exist on this issue.   I’ll have much more to say about that book when it is available.

And Friday I had lunch with a young man from Bethlehem Seminary who is considering working with the disability ministry.  His story was a good one, and told with humble authenticity and affections for Jesus Christ.  I walked away greatly encouraged.

There are others I could list!

God is up to something at Bethlehem on this issue of disability, and he’s calling young adults to the cause.  There is simply no merit to the thought that we must wait for credentials (as important as they are) or experience (as helpful as that is) to proclaim his goodness and sovereignty to the world.

Thus, I’m grateful to see the young adults picking up a mantle of leadership in this area.  Let us pray God continues to add to their number, because we need more!

Because Pastor John and Noel Piper have referenced The Works of God frequently in the past few days, God has brought a number of new readers.  I pray that God would provide something in this blog for you.

I decided to pause and point you to two posts that I believe best exemplify what we are trying to communicate here: that God is sovereign and good in all things, including disability.

• A Young Man’s Testimony to Suffering and the Sovereignty of God
• Helpful Things: Pastors Who Love Their People

I would also encourage you to take a look at our Disability Media section for other presentations on God, disability and the Bible.

I also deeply appreciate comments.  All are read, and frequently prayed for.  When questions come up, I try to respond, but simply cannot do so in every case.  Thank you for understanding, and please comment with each other!

Disability is hard.  Suffering is real.  God is greater.  He will meet every need:

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:19-20

Thank you for joining us!