“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
One of the most comforting concepts in the Bible is that we are all God’s children. Whatever our talents, financial worth, race, education, gender, or abilities, we are all equally adored and accepted by our God and Father.
We work to understand this amazing concept when it comes to our own faith, but I would like to suggest that we broaden our understanding and include all of God’s children, especially those who may have special needs.
As a young child, I had a neighbor who had special needs. Sometimes I didn’t understand her, sometimes I was even a little afraid of her. She was different. My father assured me that she was just another kid and that she needed friends like everyone else. This simple lesson has guided me throughout my life and can serve to guide us in the kingdom as well. Today, as an Education Specialist in a California public elementary school, it is my privilege to work with students with a variety of needs at my job and in our children’s ministry.
It is said that approximately ten percent of our population have special needs. We hear in the news that 1 in 166 children have been diagnosed with autism. Special needs can range from children with physical challenges, children who are non-verbal, children with learning, intellectual, social, attention, behavior, and/or language deficits. Exact numbers are hard to come by, but what is obvious is that within our kingdom, we will have a number of God’s children with special needs. Some of these children will be our own; some will be the children of our visitors.
I would like to suggest that we seek to view each of these children as God sees them. And how does God see them? It is my belief that these children are entirely special to God. Some of these children will never have to know the burden and ugliness of sin in their lives. God has protected them from the world and they will be with him always. They will always have what we always long for – purity, righteousness and a wonderful childlike faith.
It is then up to us to treat these children as God treats them, as valuable in his sight. They are an important part of the body. I believe that how we respond to these children is a measure of our own godliness. Do we see them with God’s eyes of acceptance, or do we even stop to think about their needs at all? Are their needs considered in children’s ministry? Are their parents’ needs considered? Are we thoughtful when determining schedules, meeting places, or social events?
As a parent, one of my biggest questions is, what are we teaching all of our children? Are we teaching our typically-developing children how to be friends with all others? Are special students involved and participating to the best of their ability in children’s ministry classes? Are they invited to birthday parties? Do they come over to play with your kids? Are they merely tolerated, or really included and loved? God has made our foundational need to love and to be loved and that is also true for those with special needs. As my father taught me that there was nothing to fear from a neighbor who may be different in some ways, parents today can teach that same lesson. It is good for our children’s hearts for them to ask questions in order to understand others. It is good for them to see you model your accepting and serving hearts. We are like God when we love expecting nothing in return.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9
Julie Jaques
KingdomKids@dtoday.net
