I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13, NASB).

I will not repeat the lyrics of the song my daughter composed for my birthday, as my age features in it prominently (though I think that’s very funny!), but today is my (mumble)-eth birthday. Last night, my kids took me to a store where you can create your own stuffed animal. The animal I chose had a portion of his purchase price as a donation to several charitable organizations dealing with special health needs. Therefore, I made Humphrey a bear with multiple special needs.

Well, this did not sit well with my oldest, who himself has multiple special needs. He’s never given it a second thought, and even in the ensuing conversations we held about Humphrey last night, he still is unfazed by his own medical issues. In fact, he said that his issues don’t interfere with his life very much. We then embarked on an enlightening discussion about limitations and who really places them on us. Sure, there are many disabilities that cause extra steps and are not easily surmounted, but it can be done. We talked about extraordinary people like Helen Keller. We looked up information on adaptive equipment that helps us use technology as well as medical devices that help us improve the quality of life we experience. Further, we looked up information on Braille (as my son already had a smattering of sign language under his belt).

Every night before going to bed, at our devotional prayer time, he thanks God for the medication available “in these times” that help us. I reminded him of that prayer and how there are many, many inventions that the brains God gave us allow us to dream up that help us.

My oldest went to bed feeling much, much better about Humphrey’s multiple issues, and realized what an amazing bear he is to have all of these issues and still thrive (as much as a stuffed animal can!)! In fact, this morning, when my oldest had to do something new related to his medical condition, he took courage from Humphrey, and made it through like the trooper he is.

I love “teachable moments,” don’t you?

Photo credit: Stock Xchng