Sanctity of life Sunday is a special day to me for so many
reasons. I am pro-life. I am pro-life for the unborn, born, elderly,
immigrants, people of all religions and races and individuals with special
needs. Many say that they are pro-life,
but typically only think of pro-life in terms of abortion. For so long the lives of individuals with
special needs have been undervalued, unappreciated, deemed worthless in some
countries and areas and un-discipled. Today,
on sanctity of life Sunday, I wanted to provide some tangible ways to support the pro-life
movement and to show respect and dignity for the lives of individuals with special needs.
1.
Have
you spoken with your children about how they treat individuals with special
needs? If you haven’t, please consider
speaking to them. Naturally, children
are curious and scared of what they don’t know.
Often when they are scared, they lash out. What a gift to teach your
kids compassion and empathy. Their
kindness may be the only time that person is treated with dignity or feels a
sense of friendship. Teach them to show the
love of Christ to all. ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least
of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40
2.
When
you are out and you see a special needs family, give them a warm smile. You’d never imagine how far simple kindness
can go. Show them and especially their children with special needs respect and understanding even in those awkward situations that
are loud or disturbing. ‘Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy,
brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.’ 1 Peter 3:8
3.
If
you know a special needs family, encourage them or offer help. It’s not always
easy living in a different world. As a
special needs parent, my eyes have been opened to a whole different world. A world where my child cannot use most public
restrooms, a world where we must ensure that we have the very best headphones when
we go out or my son cannot function, a world where he gets awful stares by
people wondering why he is kicking me or throwing my purse on the ground in a
fit because he cannot speak to tell me what’s wrong. I live in a world where we have to deadbolt
ourselves in our house so my son won’t get out and run into traffic or a pool
or simply just away from safety. That world often makes you feel isolated. I am
fortunate to have a family that supports and loves on us, but many are
not. We need to support these families
and encourage them. Could you possibly
offer to babysit? Could you offer a kind
word of encouragement to a sibling that maybe feels left out? Could you offer a meal or simply a time to
come and allow that person rest? ‘Let brotherly love continue. Do not
neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained
angels unawares.’ Hebrews 13:1-2
4.
Most
importantly, those in the church, please do not forget to pray for and disciple these
individuals with special needs. It has
been proven time and time again that even children that cannot speak and seem to
have a low IQ, can understand what you say.
Let your words be kind, but more so share the Gospel with them! We
cannot assume that a child or adult of any age or disability cannot accept
Christ. Doing that is doing them a great
and dangerous disservice. Share the
Gospel as many times as you can with individuals with special needs. Hope in Jesus and salvation is that person’s
greatest need. I love reading about when
Jesus forgave the paralyzed man in Mark.
Though he was paralyzed Jesus knew that his ailment was a temporary
hardship, but his forgiveness was his need for eternity. It reminds me that when I pray for Jacob his
salvation should be at the forefront always, not his safety, not his healing. That is his eternal need.
Mark 2:1-12English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
2 And when he returned to Capernaum after some
days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered
together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was
preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic
carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the
crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they
let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their
faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some
of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why
does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God
alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus
questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things
in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are
forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you
may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to
the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”
12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them
all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw
anything like this!”
