What Is Your Motivation? Is It Your Perspective?

One of the reasons I have loved being a teacher, was viewing the classroom as a microcosm of society.  The classroom represented a mere atom in terms of the universe, but the irreplaceable value of that "atom" was worth fighting for as a teacher and adapting for as a person.

As students walked into my classroom for the first time they seemed so young, so much the same, but within moments I looked for how they were different.  I wondered what they needed from me and over time, I wondered how they would change me.  When I look through my album of class pictures, I can tell you at least one thing I offered to them and one gift they gave to me.

When I have a child with a special need come into my life, my perspective zeros in even more.  Sometimes I have to make a bigger commitment to get to know them.  Maybe they cannot communicate in the traditional sense and I have to focus and observe with more intention.  Because I am using a more powerful "lense," I will see their abilities and disabilities, their gifts and their struggles, their confidences and their fears, their joys and their sorrows.

The time with children with special needs or challenges has been a gift.  It has changed my perspective on all children.  All children have abilities, disabilities, gifts, struggles, confidences, fears, joys and sorrows.  Because I had to observe with commitment, I have learned to discover more about all children.  This, in turn, has helped me pay attention to all people with greater regard.  In some respects we are more similar than we realize and in other respects, we need to celebrate the differences a little more.

When you broaden your perspective after looking so thoughtfully, you start to see all people differently.  We all need support.  We all have gifts to offer and we all need to be welcomed, no matter what our abilities and gifts are to the community.

“A person's a person, no matter how small.”  ― Dr. Seuss, Horton Hears a Who!

What Is Your Motivation? Is it a cause?

Tragedy, loss, or hardship can often change the trajectory of our life, our vocation or our passion in ministry.  The births of foundations, non-profits, ministries and organizations have often been the result of a personal tragedy. A need for healing can often spawn a cause that we invest ourselves in and desire for others to invest in.

For me, the desire to have a cause in my life was one of the pillars of my upbringing.  It wasn't that my parents insisted we have a cause, rather it was a genetic need to make a difference.  My parents, my siblings, and my children each have a cause they are fighting for.  I can see it developing in my grandchildren.  

At times the fight can be discouraging.  When I see the same battles my parents were fighting 60 years ago as a continuing battle today, it gets my attention.  I can either become discouraged that the problem still exists or I can focus on the improvements that have been made and continue to participate in the cause.

Although I would prefer for the motivation to minister alongside people affected by disability to be love, the motivation of a cause can help drive change in our society.  The motivations of love and cause can work cohesively to make a bigger difference.

"Cause" can bring about positive changes in the church:

• Physical accessibility in the church: lowered water fountains, wider doorways, ramps, frequent seating opportunities, Braille signage, large print bulletins, and listing devices, to name a few
• Social accessibility in the church:  people of all abilities are invited to participate in every area of ministry, are encouraged to use their gifts, and are sought out for positions of leadership
• Spiritual accessibility in the church:  people of all abilities are offered opportunities to participate in membership classes, confirmation, communion, baptism and other practices.

Too often we assume that our place of worship offers the same opportunities to people of all abilities but ask yourself these questions:

• When was the last time you saw someone with a disability on the worship team or singing a solo?
• When was the last time you saw someone with a disability be baptized during your service?
• When was the last time you saw someone with a disability serve in a major leadership role in the church?
• When was the last time you invited someone over for dinner that would need some form of assistance?

If you can't recall someone with a disability participating in any of these situations, you may be ready for a cause.

Relaxing In His Timing

           1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

    where does my help come from

2 My help comes from the Lord,

       the Maker of heaven and earth.

 Psalm 121:1,2 (NIV)   

Bill and I just returned from a little relaxation in Colorado.  If you know me at all, you know I love to  sit on a mountain and evaluate relationships, life, my walk with God, and ministry.  While I was there I was given great advice from a friend of 31 years.  She encouraged me to relax, enjoy my family, and to let God have His timing on what my next steps are.  It seemed like good advice so I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed!

We enjoyed being in "God's country" again.  The weather was beautiful, we had a beautiful snow our last morning, and we were able to spend time with two of my favorite people, my brother Mark and my sister-in-law, Theresa.  Our biggest decisions for two days were what shoes to wear and what to eat for every meal.  That is what I call a vacation!

It was a great blessing to finally be able to go inside the beautiful chapel at St. Malo in Estes Park.  Bill and I have been there many times since his proposal but we have never been able to go inside until this trip.  It was absolutely beautiful!  I think of it as our special chapel but I am sure it is to many more couples.

Later in the week I had the added blessing of spending time with a friend I made on a trip to Portland a few years ago.    During that trip we had a layover in Denver and a sweet lady sat next to me and shared her story about being in a concentration camp during WWII.  I enjoyed being with her and hearing her perspective on faith, life, politics and our country.  She is now 85 years old and has a wealth of wisdom.  My sister-in-law was with me and she loved her instantly as well.

     
We are back home.  The suitcases are put away, the laundry is done, the pantry is well stocked again.  I am still wondering what God has in mind for me to do next in ministry.  I am ready and willing.  I am just waiting on His timing.

     


In the meantime, I will relax in the relationships God has blessed me with and spend time in prayer.  We serve a great God.  His mercy, His grace, and His compassion amaze me.