We have been
looking at the story of David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:
1-13) to see how the church can show God’s
kindness to people with special needs and their families. The first kindness was the gift of life
itself. The second kindness was the kindness of hospitality.
David provided Mephibosheth with a place of welcome and safety.
All of us
feel welcome when our hosts attend to our creature comforts and our physical
and emotional needs. A church building might
be ADA
I worked in the home office of a large
company with an extensive branch office system.
One day as I was walking back to my office, I saw a large crowd of visiting
branch managers moving slowly down the hall in front of me. Suddenly they broke off to the right and took
the stairs to the next floor leaving a solitary figure in a wheel chair. I caught up with him and said, “There’s an
elevator off to the left. I’d be happy
to ride to the second floor with you and make sure you get reunited with your
group.” He thanked me and we chatted
while waiting for the elevator to arrive.
Then I noticed his name tag. It
was a “Twilight Zone” moment: His
name was the same as mine. Chills went up and down my spine. I said, “That’s my name too. We chatted until he rejoined his group and I
went on my way.
I asked the Lord, “What’s the meaning
of all this? Why was I affected so
strongly by seeing his name tag?” As
best I could figure out the Lord was saying, “Will, it could just as easily
have been you in that wheel chair. You
never know when life’s challenges might cause you to seek a kindness in a time
of need. Don’t hesitate to show a
kindness when you have the opportunity.”
The heart of special needs ministry –
or any other ministry is not fixing everyone’s problems but building a
relationship, making them feel welcome. Professor Jeanne D’Haem – Department of
Special Education and Counseling at William Paterson University said, “Friends play a significant role in mental and
physical health; however … many parents of special needs children report
that peer relationships end after school hours.”
Be a friend. Attend to people’s needs. We can all
show the kindness of hospitality.
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