Wednesday, May 11, 2011

I Want to do More

I want to do more. More for children and adults with special needs and more for their parents. This is something that has been on my heart more and more the last couple of years. The Lord has brought people across my path, given me a vision for Special Connections (our Sunday school class, but I see so much more) and lit a fire in my heart for it, but fear is keeping me from doing anything.

I need to call a mom who has a child with Down Syndrome, but I don't think I can really help her. She lives almost 30 minutes away. I don't have extra cash to share with her. I can't shuttle her son to activities. Not that she's asked for anything, I'm just afraid to call because I have nothing to offer. But in my heart I know she could use a friend. Even someone to just listen.

I see Special Connections Youth, with activities for the young adults at our church. Inclusion of course, assisting them in the youth choir or taking them to Sunday Night Live, an evening worship service geared to our youth. I knew of one other guy with special needs, but DART stopped their bus service on Sundays and they no longer come. Maybe I should call his mom and offer to come get him? But his mom is so needy and I know she'll count on me for rides to church in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, grocery shopping. How do I limit my time with them? But ya know, so what?? Isn't that what the body of Christ is for? My life is not my own and maybe I should be willing to give up MY time. MY day off. MY weekend. Give it up for HIS day. HIS weekend. HIS life, lived through me.

I want to expand our classroom, increase our sensory toys, our square footage but that's out of my hands. It may happen this year, maybe in the fall. Maybe. In the mean time I try to work with what we have. The kids seem bored on Sundays.

Have you ever been called to do something, but felt so inadequate you don't do anything at all?

3 comments:

Sharaya said...

Moses felt inadequate when God told him to go talk to Pharaoh. Just sayin'. :)

I understand what you mean, though. It can be hard to know how to help. But you have a great heart, I'm sure you'll figure it out!! :)

Tara said...

Yep! All the time. :) I think you start with a phone call and learn to say, "no" if it's beyond your abilities. We are responsible TO people, but not FOR them! You are selling yourself short by thinking of all the can'ts without exploring the cans. Pray and then pick up the phone. :)

Unknown said...

I think that you are doing a good job just by thinking about it and caring. I hope that things will get better and you will be able to help that boy and his mother. I also hope your class will grow.