If You Were A Mirror, What Would You Reflect?

For some time now I have found it amusing to listen to how people describe one another.  If you were to describe someone, how would you do it?  Would you talk about their hair color? Eye color? Height?  Weight?  Skin color?  Financial status?  Societal Status? Personality? Abilities or disabilities?

I think the way we describe someone is a reflection of our heart.  It reveals what is important to us.  It can reveal our perspective on people.  Once I had a child describe me as "having wild grey hair and cool clothes."  One of my personal favorites is, "She likes to play with God" which was written on a little balloon.  If you heard either of these descriptions you would instantly have a specific impression of me.  On the negative side you might heat someone describe me as "older and overweight."  A description like this one would give you another impression.

At times I like to mess with people a little bit when I am describing someone.  I like to leave out a defining detail that would make it easy for someone to locate an individual.  It makes you have to think, be a little more observant, and even get to know people.  If I describe a person only by their personality, for example, it makes it a little tougher.

In disability ministry trainings I have attended, I have often been told "to look at the person, not the wheelchair."  There are a number of things to ponder in that statement.  I guess over the years I have worked on training myself to look into the eyes first.  I do think so much about one's soul are revealed through the eyes.  I would much rather start with the eyes than the waistline, or clothes, or piercings.  For those with visual impairment, their souls are displayed just as powerfully in other ways.

For awhile I tried to not notice the disability at all but focus on other aspects of the person.  I think this is good but abilities and disabilities are a part of who we are.  Once we have a filter that allows us to see people as God sees them, we will be able to take in the whole person, created in God's image, with a powerful purpose, ordained by God.

If you were a mirror for someone else, what would you reflect?  Would you only choose the parts of them that you understood or mattered to you?  Or would you reflect the whole person knowing God has a plan and a purpose for every aspect of them?

As David Siek, a good friend, once told me, "Look Into Their Eyes."  Look into the eyes of a person first to find your description and then feel comfortable embracing all of them, abilities and disabilities, because God can use every part of us to show His glory and purpose.

Serving Together

On Tuesday I had the blessing of meeting with five amazing women that serve and lead in disability ministry.  Some of them direct ministries in mega churches and some of them in small churches but without a doubt, all of them are making a difference in the lives of families.

What I love about these women is the variety of personalities, strengths and weaknesses and expressions of faith.  Their ministries are different because they are different, as well as the circumstances they serve in.  What bonds them together is their faith in the Lord and their love for people of ALL abilities.

We are all ordinary women with a passion and a knowledge of the grace that God has bestowed on each of us.  Amazing things can happen when we come together to encourage and strengthen one another.

Mental Health First Aid

As a teacher I have had CPR/First Aid training every 3 years.  I am grateful for the training as I have had to use the skills I learned a few times.  One of the abilities I have acquired and found most helpful is the ability to stay calm, assess the situation and be able to help the other person stay calm.  

As a follow-up to the "Pathways to Hope" conference I recently attended, my brother suggested I take a course, "Mental Health First Aid."  My brother is a social worker and has worked in the area of mental health for many years and so has his wife.  They have been my "go to" people when I have had questions on mental health.

The "Mental Health First Aid" class was extremely helpful.  I would encourage everyone to take it just as I would encourage CPR/First Aid.  I have gained more knowledge about mental health issues.  I also have a greater empathy and compassion for people affected by it.  During the course you have the opportunity to experience some of the issues that can lead up to a mental health crisis.

Below is the link to the first aid course I attended:

http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs/take-a-course/find-a-course/

Another great resource is:

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness | NAMI: The National ...

With these organizations you can either find a course for you to attend or you can arrange for a class to be taught at your church.

The best way to support a friend or family member struggling with a mental health challenge is to educate yourself and walk alongside them with support.