2. Get to Know the Family.
Getting to know somebody also provides insight into what might be useful in that family’s life. The books and blog posts with lists of ideas about serving families then begin to take more specific form. Plus, the person with the disability becomes a real person who is interesting and gifted and maybe even fun to be around.
This is the first big step in communicating to this family what you really believe about God’s sovereignty in disability. This is where your theology—your trust in God—is expressed. If you know a family experiencing disability, reach out, introduce yourself, get to know them.
3. Take Action.
Action then becomes an expression of trust in God informed by knowledge about the family. Action will always entail some risk—maybe the family doesn’t want what you are offering. But action done in a spirit of affection and respect is generally well received even when imperfectly executed. When your help is harshly rejected, and it could be, then trusting God is even more important. Being faithful to God’s call to act is more important than the result you achieve.
Be proactive. Many families, by necessity, must focus their attention on the big issues and won’t be responsive to the question of, “What can I do for you?” If you add to their list of things to do, like texting or emailing when something is needed, they won’t do it.
Which means you should take the initiative, after prayerful consideration. The impulse to help is probably a good one, but praying for wisdom is still necessary. Then acting in faith, trusting that God is in it, rendering it to him, demonstrates that God is really big to you. This approach will confound even the hardest person (like I was) at your dogged desire to love them.
What Is More Sure
In this broken world, the disappointments add up quickly. Disability feels relentless. But it will end someday, swallowed up in the ultimate promises of God to make all things new for his glory and for our eternal joy.
Until that day, the grace and strength he promised are more sure than the sun rising tomorrow. And maybe you’re the very person, acting in faith, who will remind a family like mine about the supremacy of God over all things (including disability) for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.
