|
Beatitudes for Friends and Family
In His longest recorded sermon (Matthew 5:1-12), Jesus began by describing the traits He was looking for in His followers. He called those who lived out those traits blessed because God had something special in store for them. Each behavior is an almost direct contradiction of society's typical way of life. In the last beatitude, Jesus even points out that a serious effort to develop these traits is bound to create opposition. The best example of each trait is found in Jesus Himself. If our goal is to become like Him, the Beatitudes will challenge the way we live each day.
I support and keep in touch with a ministry that has the following mission statement - "Sharing God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities and enabling them to become an active part of God's family." I feel blessed to be a part of a church whose mission is basically the same - Win people to Jesus Christ - Disciple them in the faith - Help those in need. I like the fact that we don't exclude anyone in our mission statement. We want all to know Christ!
We try to do this in many ways. Many of you have been a part of our Special Needs Ministry by bringing your child to Saturday/Sunday School, participating in Family Worship, or coming to an event held just for you. However, many of you also participate in other programs our church offers. Many of our students with special needs attend regular Saturday/Sunday School, with or without a shadow. Upward Sports is attended by many of our students with special needs. Many families attended the Family Skate Night, with wheelchairs on the ice at top speed. Did you ever consider that the doors are open to us, not because some government entity has deemed it so, but because our church feels that it is what Christ would have us do?
Since Special Blessings began, many other churches have begun similar programs within their congregations. However, I can name some that have not. My heart weeps for those congregations, who are missing out on one of the greatest blessings I have ever experienced.
Many of you are so generous with your appreciation. I hear you thank our Interns and Volunteers who give up their time to shadow your children. I have received many notes, emails, and words of appreciation, as I am sure Amanda & Lena have. However, have you ever considered thanking other members of our ministry staff for their part in yours and your children's lives?
Each week we receive lesson plans from the Children's Ministry leaders for the upcoming Saturday/Sunday school lessons. We take those lessons and attempt to modify them accordingly to enable your child to remain in the classrooms with their shadows, learning about Christ and feeling a part of the larger group. The Music Ministry held their rehearsal room doors open when we needed a place to go each Thursday afternoon for Resound. Rebel Base at the Loft provides not only classrooms for us, but gave up closet space for our Remix supplies.
All these things are well and good, but so many of our staff display not only the Beatitudes of Christ, but the Beatitudes for Friends and Family.
Blessed are you who take time to listen to difficult speech, for you help us persevere until we are understood.
Blessed are you who walk with us in public places and ignore the stares of strangers, for we find havens of relaxation in your companionship.
Blessed are you who never bid us to "hurry up" and more blessed are you who do not snatch our tasks from our hands to do them for us, for often we need time rather than help.
Blessed are you who stand beside us as we enter new and untried ventures, for the delight we feel when we surprise you, outweighs all the frustrating failures.
Blessed are you who ask for our help, for our greatest need is to be needed.
Anonymous
Why not send a Valentine of appreciation to some member of TWUMCs ministry staff, thanking them for their efforts in supporting our mission statement? You can find a list of them at www.thewoodlandsumc.org under the "Who we are" tab, then "Staff" tab. Thank them for their support, thank them for their open doors, and thank them for their Be-Attitudes!
In His Love,
Chris
| 
