Accept One Another
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?—EXODUS 4:11 KJV
When God sends an imperfect child, a parent’s heart is filled with questions:
Was this a mistake?
Is God angry with me?
Did I do something to cause this problem?
God answers these questions with a resounding “No!” God says He made the imperfect child. The blind child. The deaf child. The child with Angelman or Down syndrome. Each one was created imperfect by Him to fulfill His perfect plan in the life of the child and in the lives of those around him or her.
Jesus affirmed the Father’s creative intent when His disciples asked if blindness had been caused by sin. He said, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3 KJV).
Although God may never heal a child as Jesus healed the blind man, God works great works through a handicapped child, especially in the hearts of his or her parents. They become more determined, yet more compassionate; more patient, yet more intolerant of evil.
The imperfect child and his or her imperfect and struggling parents were created for the Lord’s glory.
Dear Father, I thank You for Your perfect plans. Let Your Spirit flow through me to my loved one, so together we will bring You glory.
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.—John 15:12 (ESV)
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.—2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)