Sunday, January 16, 2011

Lessons I Have Learned From My {disabled?} Daughter

Today it's just Lindsay and me at home. Shae is back at college, Anna and Scott are up at camp serving 160 junior high kids.

As I listen to "Go Diego Go" playing on the TV and hear Lindsay answering the questions he asks, laughing hysterically at the funny parts while she plays with blocks, my mind wanders to what could have been. {a dangerous place for a mind to go}
Lindsay is 13 years old. Thirteen. In seventh grade. Jr. High!
She should be at Jr. High "Winter Camp" this weekend with all the other kids her age.
She should be able to dress herself, take care of her own hygiene, and text her friends on a cell phone.
But God, Almighty God, allowed Lindsay's life to be altered when she was just 8 months old.
Heart failure. Brain damage. Blindness.

a small price to pay for,
a pure heart that loves with no reserve,
fresh, pure JOY on a daily basis,
the BIGGEST, most sincere, loyal and loving heart....ever.
And the greatest gift God ever allowed our family to have.

HE could have easily taken her home to live with Him in heaven all those years ago. But He loved us { Ohhh, how He loves us..} so much that He, in His powerful wisdom, left Lindsay in an altered state to live in this family to change us. {Ohhh, how He loves us...}

My mother-in-law and I were talking about Lindsay today. She told me that she had mentioned to my father-in-law how sad it sometimes made her to see Lindsay playing with blocks when she thinks about Lindsay's age. He told Dottie that all that doesn't matter because she is happy. Happy she IS!
She really doesn't know what she is missing, only WE do. Her life is so beautifully simplistic.
I often catch myself comparing my life with that of others, (which the Bible specifically warns against) thinking how great it would be to be able to run errands quickly, or just tell everyone to "go get dressed for school" and only have myself to get ready. But, I realize that God, in all His wisdom, gave me this child so that I would "turn my eyes upon Jesus"!


"At that time Jesus said, I praise you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children."
Matthew 11:25



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12 comments:

Krystal said...

That's rich! Yes, I've observed that many "handicapped" people love more fully and in a more godly fashion than the "unhandicapped", but I often wonder who really has the disability. Thanks for sharing your heart, Inger. I appreciate your wisdom and your love for God.

Grace Meeker said...

another GREAT post Inger!! God couldn't have blessed your girls with a greater mom! Your such an inspiration to me....=) love ya!

Lyss. said...

This made me cry. You are amazing, Inger. Thanking God for your sweet family!

Unknown said...

You're blessed to have Lindsey as your daughter, and she's blessed to have you for her Mama. God knew you would be perfect for each other. Great post! Keep them coming. =0)

Julie said...

What a beautiful post! Thank you, Inger, for sharing your heart!

Katrina said...

What a beautiful post. It brought tears.

Shanfun said...

Thank you so much for sharing Inger. You have also been blessed the the gift of encouragement, as all of your blogs tend to do that!
Love ya!
Shannon

Daniel and Jaynee Lockwood and Family said...

Beautiful, Inger. God does not see how man sees, for man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. Oh yes, Inger, a very small price to pay for the priceless treasure you have in your beautiful girl. A very small price to pay for the work God can do in our hearts when they have been broken, hurt, and given completely to Him. A very small price to pay to know love.

shaemin said...

yes, mom... i read your blog occasionally and this made me cry!! i guess not everything on your blog is lame ;) i miss my binny-boo!! we are blessed to have her <3 yall.

Donna said...

Sweet post, Inger. I'm sure it is hard sometimes to see other girls her age and see the difference. I LOVE your perspective! You can tell Lindsey is a sweet child...and one who is loved dearly!

Denise said...

Very sweet post Inger! You are so correct in all you wrote. And you are so blessed--but you already know that! :)

Unknown said...

Laughing at what Shae wrote. This just made me cry, Inger. What a lesson for all of us. You are blessed to have Lindsay and she is blessed to have you for her mommy!