“Sugar and spice and everything nice.” That’s usually what you hear about little girls, but not about Jessica. Her behavior problems almost ruin a relationship until the grandmother learns to love her as Jesus does.
Read moreTag: Children
Let the Children
My small, rural church in the Ozarks is teeming with children. In the life of this congregation they are both disturbance and delight. I am as likely to be correcting them for swinging riotously from the banisters as I am to praise them for behaving so nicely in service. All told, our fellowship would be…
Read moreFinding Freedom on Independence Day
The Father love of God reaches out to His hurting child. by P. J. Anna Fireworks explode all around me tonight. The Nebraska summer air is thickened as thousands of brilliant lights fill the night sky. Despite the excitement, the annual celebration of our country’s independence is a vivid, painful reminder of the worst…
Read moreAnd Baby Makes Two
Sowing in tears, reaping in joy. by Harriet E. Michael “Mom. . . I’m pregnant.” My twenty-year-old daughter, a junior at a Christian college, spoke in a calm voice, rocking my world and changing it forever. The phone had rung a little before midnight, waking me from a sound sleep. My daughter continued, “I’ve…
Read moreChild of Promise
The sufficiency of Christ . . . when we need Him most. by Donna Scales The telephone call came on a Friday afternoon — the call that changed our family’s future. The caller identified himself as Dr. Combs.* Why would he be calling? I wondered. We just saw him this morning. Dr. Combs was…
Read moreA Place for Grace
Removing the stigma from single parenthood. by Dawn Shanks, MEd My three-year-old’s voice became increasingly louder. “But why, Mom?!” he repeatedly asked, though I told him to pick only six books — the limit we had agreed on in the car. Our bag could not hold any more books without ripping. Not surprisingly, he…
Read moreHeart and Soul
Christ performs major surgery on the deepest need. by Dave Moors as told to Priscilla Tate Gilmore In February 2001, when my wife was four months pregnant, our obstetrician, Dr. Robert Olson, delivered alarming news: “Based on previous blood tests, there is a ten percent chance that your baby will be born with Down’s…
Read moreNaming Jason
Surrender to the sovereign will of God is not always easy. by Karen Foster A sharp pain jarred me awake at 4 a.m. Rubbing my large belly, I urged my unborn son, “Settle down in there.” I breathed deeply, but another searing pain made me bolt up in bed. My heart pounded. I can’t…
Read moreNaming Jason Resources
Resources Graham’s Foundation (www.grahamsfoundation.org): blogs, book recommendations, remembrances, etc. Empowered Preemie Moms: From NICU, to Newborn, and Beyond by Dr. Shaana Berman (February 27, 2013). Available on Amazon. For Those Who Hold the Littlest Hands (complimentary NICU Parent eBook): advertised on Grahams’s Foundation. Follow the link to www.nicuparentsupport.org and download the e-book for free. Hand to Hold…
Read moreParenting a Child with a Disability: Resources
kidstogether.org: inclusion of persons with disabilities wrightslaw.com: special education law ds-health.com: Down syndrome and related health issues woodbinehouse.com: Special Needs Collection of books about various disabilities blog.friendshipcircle.org: Special Needs Blog on supporting children with disabilities
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