You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2 Corinthians 3:3
Her group didn't win by being first. They didn't win the prize. They won my heart.
Sometimes I just have to stand back and let things work themselves out. And it's hard when I want my daughter to succeed so badly. And these rules seemed impossible.
I watched her group from across the parking lot. Each girl, except my daughter, tall and lanky. Athletic. They started jumping over the rope. They were laughing and having a great time - and my daughter, who has Down Syndrome, was right there with them, laughing along as each girl took her turn. Easy breezy. Except my Sierra - low tone, short stature, a little extra weight.
It came to her turn. I watched without speaking; I knew she couldn't jump it. I wanted to wave a magic wand and give her just a little bit of their athletic ability, of their carefree confidence, just a little bit of their typical. But those kinds of magic wands don't exist.
Her right arm crept up her back behind her, a sure sign that she's unsure of herself. A sign that she's going to forge ahead anyway. I've seen it so many times - when she walks into and introduces herself to a group of people she desperately wants to be part of. Her graduating class at rehearsal. The 70-member youth group in Texas. Special Olympics - track and field, and bowling. And she wanted desperately to be part of this group of girls - the girls who didn't think twice about jumping over that rope.
I watched them - gathered on the other side, talking and laughing. I saw them look at my girl; I saw the realization of her limitation dawn on their faces. And I saw them wave a different kind of magic wand. A heart-like-Jesus wand.
Walking back around the trees, they gathered my girl up in their arms and lifted her over the rope. Laughing and having a great time. Easy breezy. They were the last team to finish. I have heard that sometimes you have to be last to be first. I believe it.
Thank you, Jesus, for showing us your heart. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for guiding us to live with a heart like Jesus. Thank you, God, for putting these girls, these letters from Christ, in our lives.
Linking with Jennifer, Beth, Michell, Tracy, and Emily at:
What a wonderful story! Isn't it wonderful to see Christ in the actions of others?! Many blessings!
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia, yes, I treasure the times - This was the youth group at our church; they're a really good group of kids. Thanks for the visit - I hope you have a great week!
DeleteDear Janet
ReplyDeleteThis has touched me so, I had to tell this story to my husband. It reminds me of an athletics meeting I have read of some time ago. When the Down-syndrome and other disabled children ran their item, one girl fell down. She was behind the others as well, but when the others heard her falling, they all turned back, helped her up and all finished together! Your daughter is part of a very, very special group of people who are especially close to Pappa's heart.
Blessings XX
Mia
Hi Mia - It's true - Sierra's been part of a couple of different youth groups because of our various moves - this one is definitely special. It starts with a couple of leaders who demonstrate Christ's love in their own lives... We have been truly blessed. Have a wonderful week.
DeleteBeautiful story, Janet. And such a touching illustration of the last being first. Thank you for sharing your heart and your joy over your child with us!
ReplyDeleteHi Holly, thank you for visiting, and thank you for your encouraging comment. Sometimes, it seems my heart just overflows - those are the times I want to share the most. Blessings!
DeleteI'm so glad God's ways are the world's ways. We're better off that way. Thanks for sharing this story. {Visiting from Three Word Wednesday}.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristin, Oooh, I wish God's ways were the world's ways more often; I sure like finding them in the everydays.... Thanks for visiting.
DeleteHi Janet! And I bet it took a lot to just stand back and let it happen. What a good Mom you are! I always tended to rush in, and look what I would have missed?
ReplyDeleteGood think I'm not a teen. I was reading this wondering how the heck you accomplish this within the rules? Never thought of jumping. Genius! I'd still be standing there, completely flummoxed!
Thank you for your visit while I was away. I really treasure our blog-friendship.
Ceil
Hi Ceil, Welcome back! It was hard to stand back, you're right - and what I didn't say in the story was that I was juuuussst about to head in her direction to 'help'. But those girls didn't need my help! They really, genuinely care about Sierra. It's nice.
DeleteI treasure our blog-friendship, too - I'm looking forward to hearing some stories...
Janet
So touching, just makes me smile and gives me hope:) Beautiful post. God chooses to show His love in our lives and through our lives and I thank Him for your eyes to see that:)
ReplyDeleteYes. big smiles and heart full of hope here, too. We have been blessed. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteWhat a beautiful story. My 17 year old daughter is teaching a class at our church's girls club and one of her grade 1 girls has down syndrome. I'll have to share this story with her, she'll love it. So glad I stopped by!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from the 'imperfect prose' link up.
Cathy - oh my! I remember Sierra in first grade - she was teeny tiny and loved to hide in the sand under the jungle gym outside. And even though she didn't talk a lot - she certainly paid attention to what was being said around her. How do I know? Because that was the year I used one of those bad words in an un-Christian driving moment and it took me a good couple of weeks to teach her that no, it wasn't ok to say it, and to live down her telling everyone she met what I'd said. Good lesson for me, though! Tell your daughter to keep her smile on! Thanks for visiting. :-)
DeleteOh, I'm so glad they accepted your daughter, I was kinda holding my breath till I got to that part...phew! Last to be first, so true!
ReplyDeleteThey are a great group - And... I hold my breath sometimes, too. It's ok. I think Sierra's teaching them, and they're teaching her. - and they're all teaching me. It's a good relationship. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteJanet, I'm visiting from Emily's place. I loved, loved, loved how you linked the story to the verse on the last being first. I was not expecting it and it caught me by surprised, this connection. And then I thought: yes! yes, that is it. This is a real life application of a verse that often leaves people wondering how to live it out. This is just how. Beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gaby. That's exactly what I thought when I started to write it out - because oh-so-competitive me sometimes gets in the way of that verse. You should have seen them, though - I was so proud of those girls! I'm glad you could visit.
DeleteWhat a beautiful post Janet. This truly touched my heart. I'm sorry it took me a couple days to come by but I'm so glad you shared this for Three Word Wednesday. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth - thank you about the post, it touched my heart when it was happening in front of me!
DeleteI hope you've been away because you've been enjoying some time with your man - don't ever worry about not getting back to me, I love your visits but... busy gets busy sometimes, and other times, you just need to veg a little. We all do. Have a great weekend!