The Sustenance of Grace – SheLoves Magazine

I’m honored to be over at SheLoves Magazine today. We all have times when the words of others have wounded us deeply. How we respond affects our lives for long after. I’d love to hear your story or thoughts on overcoming hurtful words & the offering of forgiveness. Please feel free to share them at SheLoves or leave a comment here at BellaVerita. Thanks!

 

When the words left her lips, I sat stunned. The air in the room was sucked out in a moment’s edict, from a woman of whom I expected grace.

I was one of six, sitting around the table, searching out deeper truths of the New Testament on a windy day in April. Including the teacher, there were four men and two women, one older and one younger – me.

It happened during the break. We were asked us to introduce ourselves. The simple words of small talk common to new groups were spoken. Circling around the table, I was the last to speak. Like the others, I began with my church history, years of attendance, years married, finishing with my son who was six, and my daughter not quite a year old who was born with Down syndrome.

I’d barely gotten the words out when they were met with the declaration, “You are going to have a miserable, difficult life.” …..

Continue reading “The Sustenance of Grace” at SheLoves Magazine

 

 

 

 

A Mother’s Day Surprise – Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Come at 3:00, the invitation said. Sofia couldn’t wait to give it to me when she brought it home, two weeks before the big day. Unzipping her backpack as soon as she jumped in my car, she grabbed the paper out of the bright blue folder and handed it to me, before we’d even turned down our driveway. “You’re invited to a Mother’s Day Tea Party,” it said. It was an annual event thrown by the kindergarteners for their mamas.

Talking About The Uncanny Provision of God at Today’s Christian Woman/Kyria

Excited to be over at Today's Christian Woman/Kyria today with my article, The Uncanny Provision of God. Often in this journey of faith, there are surprises. The Uncanny Provision of God is the story about one of those surprises, when God taught me about His attentive and abundant provision.

A Letter to New and Expectant Parents of a Baby with Down syndrome

Congratulations on your new baby! Whether you’re an expectant parent or you’re holding your newborn in your arms, your child is precious and is a gift to be celebrated.

Holding Tight in the Falling Times

Spring ushers in some of my favorite things: sunshine, warmth, birds singing and a multitude of flowers peeking through muddy ground. This spring the birds have been singing, flowers have begun their ascent into full glory, but the sun… ah, the sun. Maybe it was sleeping hard after a long winter and couldn’t be bothered to show its’ face. Until yesterday.

Yesterday, the sun came out to play. Finally. Ecstatically happy and in celebration of the sun, I spent as much time as I could outside. I hiked through the park, attempted to garden a bit, even walked down our lengthy gravelly driveway and road, up the hill to meet my daughter at her bus stop. Normally, I’d drive. Not yesterday. Not a chance. Didn’t even mind pushing her enormous, ancient jogging stroller up the big hill.

Delighted to see me and the stroller, she couldn’t wait to take a ride. She loves taking walks. She loves riding and loves walking. Used to be, she was a bit too unsteady to walk for long on the gravel. She’s grown considerably in strength, in a year’s time. After riding to our driveway, she promptly asked to walk. “Out, Mama. Wanna walk. Please.” Absolutely. Down she went, ready for her hike up the hills in our drive.

Five year olds are inquisitive creatures and my daughter is no exception. With eyes focused on either side of the drive searching for birds, deer and chipmunks, it didn’t take long for her to take a spill. Footing lost; down she went, both hands hitting hard on gravel. Her little face belying shock over what happened. Frustration. Then, the cries of pain.  Scooping her up immediately, holding her close to soothe her tears, she calmed. Tiny scraped up palms and sadness in her eyes. It’s heartbreaking to see your child in pain, even if it’s just over a few scrapes.

Scraped hands are brushed off. Tears wiped away. We turn to continue our walk. Afraid to take another step, my daughter moves slowly. Cautiously. “Sofia, do you want to hold my hand?” I ask. “Yes,” she mumbles through left-over tears. I hold out my right hand to her, which she grasps solidly with her left. Tiny hand in mine, I begin to take a step. Before my foot hits the ground, another little hand shoots out, desperately grabbing for my hand. Two little hands tighten their grip on mine. The ferocity with which she holds on startles me. It’s as if she doesn’t trust herself. One hand holding on is good, but two are better. Both hands in mine, I steady her for our hike home.

As we walk together, I’m reminded of the times in my life I’ve been walking along, enjoying the scenery, unaware I’m about to lose my footing. Then, the fall. Painful, surprising spills on the road of life when I’ve longed to hold on to someone bigger and stronger. After falling, I’m stunned and shocked by the hurt of whatever’s thrown me off balance. At times, I’ve been afraid to keep going. Over time, I’ve learned to raise my head, tears falling and hold out both hands reaching for the God who offers me His right hand to steady me.  

I walk in His strength, in the knowledge He can lead me safely on my journey. I’ve learned I can’t make it alone. So I reach out and grip with both hands, the hand offered me. I take it, hopefully without question. Sometimes, with questions nagging. I’m grateful for the help. He’s always been faithful. He always leads with love. I can only hope that’s what my daughter sees, when she reaches out to me. And that, in turn, she’ll learn to reach out for Him.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10  NLT