In Dallas, TX

This week I have the most incredible opportunity. Thanks to the Joint Heirs foundation, I have been sent to the Christian Leadership Alliance conference in Dallas, Tx. I'm staying at the conference hub, the Hyatt Regency. I am so honored to be here. The following is a glimpse of the opportunities that I have this week.

Every morning, we have a bible study led by Jill Briscoe. The general sessions will be led by Chuck Swindoll, Tony Evans, Patsy Clairmont, and it gets even better. I have the opportunity to take classes and workshops taught by the leaders of organizations of many non-profits and churches. It will be an amazing week! They even provide a little entertainment in the evenings, including a night with Babbie Mason and Comedian Anita Renfroe. You can view a few pictures of the place at http://dallasregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/gallery/photos.jsp;jsessionid=KGK2I3JAUIF3FTQSNW2VAGGOCJWYOUP4?icamp=propPhotoGallery. I'll keep you filled in on the specifics and what I hope to bring back to the ministry. Your prayers are appreciated!

Stuck Somewhere In Between

This is a picture of our daughter Kayla Christine Holdaway,

April 14, 1992-September 28, 2003

Is April 14th really a day to Celebrate? I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I'm torn. On the outside the world wants to see how I've conquered the pain and hurt I feel from leaving behind a world I once knew. A world of medical tests and iv's. There was some comfort there, I had been placed there by God. He gave this gift to me and I loved her. Every minute. It never mattered whether I was cleaning up vomit or learning how to be more forthright with education of those with special needs. She had a special way of handling it and she was our teacher and example. But I miss those days. Days that meant more than just being together but really understanding what is important. We'd have an issue in our home, and the moment she'd be sick, it all went away. Nothing mattered except what we had been called by God to do...that is...love. I do miss those days, even though they were difficult. I can still hear her calling just beyond my doorway, "Momma, can you come take my mask off?" The alarm of the oxygen, with it's tubing taped across the floor, waking us as another breath has been missed, or the alarm of the feeding pump expressing the empty bag. She was amazing and through all of this she was a messenger of truth, courage, and above all, here to glorify God. She knew it. I just wasn't ready to let her go. Yet, THY will be done. Not mine.

April 14th in our house still isn't better. It was BOTH of our girls birthdays. Recently I wrote a letter to our readers sharing how wonderful that day is in our home, but that's only 1/2 the truth. For any of you who have experienced the excruciating pain of the loss of a child, you know that those holidays don't just turn into something magical. And for us, with Cassie, it's still difficult. We put on our smiles, but the honest truth is that we miss her. I pray in the years to come thas day transforms into something sweet, but for now, in all honesty, it's painful. We're still not sure how to make it 'better'.

I don't intend to decieve those who truly care about the work I do, but as for moving on and just forgetting what lies behind, I cannot. The pain is just too deep. We Celebrate for what IS, the gift that remains, our beloved daughter Cassandra and forge ahead to the work that awaits. Changed all the more for His glory, remembering what He has done and what He continues to do.

Pictured right - our daughter Cassandra and her little girl Genesis Noel.

Pictured below - Genesis wears a dress great-grandma hand made for Kayla.

Into His Presence by Sharon Milan - Used with Permission

INTO HIS PRESENCE
“People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10: 13-16

What a precious and tender look into the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is truly a favorite story of mine. But have you ever stopped to wonder why the disciples rebuked those who desired to bring their children into the presence of Jesus? Did the disciples think the children could not understand Christ’s teaching? Did they think Christ lacked the patience and love that children require? Or did they view children as so unvaluable that it would not be an effective use of their time and resources to allow and encourage the practice. Nowhere in scripture do we read what the disciples were thinking, and I would imagine purposely so. Perhaps this is a place where we are to prayerfully pause to examine our own hearts, especially towards those we daily choose not to bring into the presence of our professed Lord.

As I think about this story and my friends who live with disabilities, I am struck with a sad truth. This group of people living with disabilities continues to be the largest un-churched people group in the United States; which tells me there are still “disciples” whose words and actions are saying, “Do not bring them to Jesus, they cannot possibly understand His teachings. Christ doesn’t have enough love or patience to be bothered by them. They are simply too unvaluable to spend our time and resources on. We should not allow or encourage the practice of bringing them before the Lord.” Church, this cannot be us.

Christ said so long ago: “I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15) I find it so incredibly beautiful that this people group is truly the people group (aside from actual little children); most capable of entering God’s kingdom in the very way Christ tells us we must. Their childlike hearts and minds are perfect, ready and truly capable of receiving what we all need most. Parents and caregivers whose lives are devoted to these special people are confronted daily with the realities of what their loved ones can’t or won’t ever be capable of doing. We have an opportunity now to focus on what they are capable of. And by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, they are capable of entering the kingdom of God. They need only be brought into His presence.

As servants of Christ Jesus, when you show up in the life of a person living with a disability; whether you “show up” by smiling, saying “hello” or even by just bringing them a plate of food; you are bringing them into Christ’s presence, as you are Christ’s representative. You are also being obedient to another of God’s heart commands. Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Persons living with disabilities might seem uncomfortably different to you. They are not. Their biggest need is no different then yours or mine…they simply need the salvation found in Jesus Christ.

“And he (Jesus) took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:16) You, too, do exactly that when you show up. As a parent of one who lives with disabilities, thank you for being Christ and thank you for showing up.

Sharon Milan, March 7, 2008 all rights reserved.
Used with author permission.

Your Prayers Have Been Answered!

Thank you so much for praying for our team! God is amazing and has heard our reqeuest. He has provided a new Director of Volunteer Development for Eagle Wings. I am so delighted that Cheryl Rhoads has joined our team. She has a keen sense of who we are and our mission, and brings new eyes to our programs. She has a determination for success and is gifted at recruitment. She is an amazing woman of God and has an amazing story. To read more...click here. You'll be amazed at what God has done and how we've been brought together.

E-mail Cheryl Rhoads today!