It’s been really fun for me to host some of my friends during this Back to School Bible Study Boost. For Week #5 I’ve invited Sandra Peoples to share from her heart of first-hand understanding about special needs. She is a Texan who is also a leader in ministering to families with these unique needs, and she is the the author of Unexpected Blessings. The message she offers today is important for every child, but especially for those with special needs. We also serve together on the Million Praying Moms writing team. Welcome Sandra Peoples!
Wanting wisdom for our kids
When my son James was a baby, I searched Scripture for just the right verse to pray over his life. When I feed and rocked him at 2:00 am, I wanted to whisper a verse that he would remember as he grew. One that would be true for him when he was two, twenty-two, and forty-two. After reading and praying, I finally picked a verse.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. – Luke 2:52
That was exactly what I wanted for him—to grow wiser and stronger and for God and others to show him favor.
Special needs in our kids
When he was diagnosed with autism at age three, this verse became even more important. The truth was, he wasn’t growing wiser or stronger. At that point, he was losing communication skills and was well-below average for weight and height. Others weren’t showing him favor. He was excluded from friends’ birthday parties and kept to himself around peers. And honestly, I wasn’t sure God was showing us favor either. I have a big sister with Down syndrome, so I knew the challenges of raising a child with special needs.
But even as we struggled with our new role as special needs parents—juggled doctors’ appointments, therapies, and new diets, and learned acronyms like IEP, SPD, and ABA—I continued to pray. “God, I’m begging You, help him to grow wiser and stronger. Show favor on him. Cause others to include him, be patient with him, and love him.” Night after night I prayed, repeating the verse again and again.
Special wisdom for special needs
Years later I see my prayer being answered. He is wiser. He’s able to answer yes and no questions. He can communicate his needs. And he’s learning prereading skills, giving us hope he may one day be able to read. He is growing. I give thanks for that each time he eats all his dinner, takes his plate to the sink, and then stands almost nose to nose with me! And overall people are patient and kind. I see it each day when I drop him off at his junior high after his morning therapy appointment and the other students know his name and greet him, even though he isn’t able to respond back.
Don’t give up praying for your children! Even if you don’t see your prayer being answered right away. His is fulfilling His purpose in His time. Pray for wisdom in their lives and in your own. No matter what their IQ score is or what their report card says, we know God can continue to produce wisdom. No matter what diagnosis or health challenges they have, God can give strength and growth. He will show them favor and help others see our children through His eyes.
I’m so thankful God brought that verse to mind ten years ago now and for all the ways He has answered my prayers for James!
Sandra Peoples is a special-needs mom and sibling. She and her family live outside of Houston, TX where she serves her church as director of the special-needs ministry. She’s the author of Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family. You can connect with her at sandrapeoples.com
