Serving Others as a Special Needs Parent

We’re already busy, but being busy doesn’t exempt any of us from serving beyond our own family and comfort level. We’re not trying to send anyone on a guilt trip, but when others see that we can serve when we have so many limitations already caring for one (or more) with needs, they see what sacrifice and service are all about. Quite honestly, simply meeting our own family’s needs is far easier than stretching ourselves to reach out and serve others and develop relationships with others. Because we desired deep relationships with others, we pursued others even through sometimes we knew that they or we would be hurt in the process. Hurt feeling aren’t easy to overcome, but if we never take a risk, we never have the wonderful opportunity to find a friend willing to stick with us through thick and thin. Finding those chosen few is a wonderful blessing. In general, we desire to build all relationships by treating others graciously and kindly We want others to sense from us that we are willing to work together, not just have things our way. We want our participation in a relationship to be “life-giving” not “life-draining.” In our desire to balance those fragile areas of relationship, we want to love like Jesus and not be indifferent to others. Sometimes that means protecting ourselves and our family, and other times it means giving above and beyond what we think we are able. In both instances we seek the Lord and depend upon Him for guidance and direction. A few practical ways to reach out to others:

• Help in your child’s classroom
• Invite teachers, friends, others to your home for dinner
• Write notes of encouragement to other in challenging place in life
• Allow others to help

In building relationships, we build bridges. Bridges take us on a journey that can be better “together” than alone. ENJOY the journey!