BEATITUDES
OF ACCEPTANCE
Not too long ago I
attended a workshop at Boston College entitled “Families With Disabilities”
which explored our evangelization efforts toward persons with disabilities and
their families. Nowadays our worship spaces are pretty much accessible but is
it enough? Is it enough to just get into the door of the church? I came across
these beatitudes not too long after the BC lecture and thought they were
perfect! Building ramps and elevators are only part of the equation. Barriers
of the mind and heart are more difficult to overcome. I invite you this week to
pray with me these beatitudes and to pray for those persons and families who
are separated from us due to impairment or illness…
·
Blessed are
you who take time to listen to difficult speech, for you help me to know that
if I persevere, I can be understood.
·
Blessed are
you who walk with me in public places and ignore the stares of strangers, for
in your friendship I feel good to be myself.
·
Blessed are
you who never bid me to "hurry up" and, more blessed, you who do not
snatch a task from my hands to do it for me, for often I need time rather than
help.
·
Blessed are
you who stand beside me as I enter new and untried ventures, for my uncertainty
will be outweighed by the times I surprise you and me.
·
Blessed are
you who ask for my help and realize my giftedness, for my greatest need is to
be needed.
·
Blessed are
you who help me with the graciousness of Christ, because I sometimes need the
help for which I cannot ask.
·
Blessed are
you who, in all ways, assure me that what makes me an individual is not my
particular disability, but my beautiful God-filled personhood which no
disabling condition can confine or define.
·
Rejoice and
be glad, for you have helped me believe in myself as valued and gifted person
and your understanding and love have opened doors for me to enjoy life to the
fullest. (author unknown)
God Bless… Holly
Clark
PS… May God Bless all mothers and a special thanks to my Mom who
embraced all of the above beatitudes. I am who I am because of the partnership
of my Mom, Dad and Jesus working in harmony to make me the best “me” I can be!
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