WATCH THIS!

“I see a slide!”

“I see swings!”

These were some answers received from some 1-6th graders when asked with their eyes closed, “What do you see in our new church playground?”

In all the excitement of our new playground possibilities, one boy with cerebral palsy and other health issues shouted, “I see Jesus!”

Now, this may not sound like a big deal to you as every child seems to answer ‘Jesus’ to every question posed in kids church.  However, tears filled my eyes.  I really do believe he saw Jesus on that playground, as its purpose is to reach unchurched kids.

At that moment God downloaded John chapter 9 across my mind.

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.  “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.  But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” (1-5)

Jesus then healed this man’s blindness.

We all have our opinions on why we are seeing more and more special needs kids.  ADHD, Autism, ODD, SPD, or just plain different. We can debate all day long over it.  And as a sister of a severely autistic brother, I have my theories too.  However, have we ever thought that maybe it isn’t all sin that we have more children with special needs?  That maybe they are simply outside the box kids that God created for His purpose and glory?  That maybe, just maybe, God’s plan is to use them just like Frank Stevens in the video above?

I have noticed a trend among special needs kids:  they are Evangelistic.  The cerebral palsy boy in my class loves Jesus.  Not only does he love Jesus, he’s not afraid to share Jesus.  And guess what?  People listen.  Just like they are listening to Frank Stevens viral video on abortion. They are bringing God glory.

So, before we as ministers fight over special needs kids and why they are the way they are,  lets celebrate them!  Pray for them to glorify Jesus just as the blind man did. Maybe that is why they are here.

PRAY WITH ME                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Lord, please allow me to see all people, including out of the box children, the way you do.  Please allow me to see their differences as a way to glorify you, not as an inconvenience.  In Jesus Name, AMEN.