When I worked with special needs folks, we were trained on how important it is to choose your words wisely. Tone of voice, volume, gestures and even facial expressions are all part of what you say. I have found that the closer I draw to the Lord, the more I want to glorify Him in thought ,WORD and deed. It is a challenge I work towards on a day-to-day basis. With the grace of God, I have at least seen some improvement and continue to try to do better
There is so much, Linda, in the wisdom of your words here. I could just sit and reflect on them and draw encouragement for a long time. But let me focus on just the first part, that you worked with special needs folk. One of the problems with society is that it generally judges based on competence and utility. From an evolutionary perspective this is logical because, for a society to survive, it needs people with different talents working hard. However, from a God-perspective, if we are obedient and trusting in his provision then we love even the least of these -- who turn out, in many respects, to be the best of us. I think it has to do with their openness to both receive and give love. In your particular example, I would say that you were able to grow and speak more effectively because your special needs children were there to help you. Our most vulnerable provide society the opportunity to work its love muscles and to grow more powerful in projecting kindness.
Ben your words so beautifully describe the rewarding experience it is to work with that particular group of people. The sentence about "their openness to both receive and give love" is especially true.
When I worked with special needs folks, we were trained on how important it is to choose your words wisely. Tone of voice, volume, gestures and even facial expressions are all part of what you say. I have found that the closer I draw to the Lord, the more I want to glorify Him in thought ,WORD and deed. It is a challenge I work towards on a day-to-day basis. With the grace of God, I have at least seen some improvement and continue to try to do better
There is so much, Linda, in the wisdom of your words here. I could just sit and reflect on them and draw encouragement for a long time. But let me focus on just the first part, that you worked with special needs folk. One of the problems with society is that it generally judges based on competence and utility. From an evolutionary perspective this is logical because, for a society to survive, it needs people with different talents working hard. However, from a God-perspective, if we are obedient and trusting in his provision then we love even the least of these -- who turn out, in many respects, to be the best of us. I think it has to do with their openness to both receive and give love. In your particular example, I would say that you were able to grow and speak more effectively because your special needs children were there to help you. Our most vulnerable provide society the opportunity to work its love muscles and to grow more powerful in projecting kindness.
Ben your words so beautifully describe the rewarding experience it is to work with that particular group of people. The sentence about "their openness to both receive and give love" is especially true.