Dec.16.98: Light For The Day - "Heaven's Special Child"

"God purposely chose what the world considers
nonsense in order to shame the wise, and He
chose what the world considers weak in order to
shame the powerful. He chose what the world
looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing,
in order to destroy what the world thinks is
important. This means that no one can boast in
God's presence."
-- 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (TEV)

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"Heaven's Special Child"

A meeting was held quite far from earth. 
"It's time again for another birth," 
Said the Angels to the Lord above, 
"This special child will need much love.

His progress may seem very slow 
Accomplishments he may not show 
And he'll require extra care 
From folks he meets way down there.

He may not run or laugh or play 
His thoughts may seem quite far away 
In many ways he won't adapt. 
And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent 
We want his life to be content 
Please, Lord, find the parents who 
Will do a special job for You.

They will not realize right away 
The leading role they're asked to play 
But with this child sent from above 
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll known the privilege given 
In caring for this gift from Heaven 
Their precious charge, so meek and mild 
Is Heaven's very special child." 

-- Unknown
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"What if a college decided to include in their core
curriculum a requirement that a student must take
care of a handicapped child for a day and give the
mother and father time to go out to dinner?

What if a corporation allowed each of its employees
one day off a year to tend to a mentally retarded child?...

We in our humanness attempt to place value on
time, resources, and even on human life.
We attempt to measure the quality of life, and the
value of one's life by a standard that, at best, is
arbitrary, capricious, and self-serving...

The "powerless" have much to offer us as a society
if we are willing to rethink our narrow ideas of value
and worth..." 

-- Christopher DeVinck, Power of the Powerless

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"For I will leave in the midst of you a people
humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in
the name of the LORD."
-- Zephaniah 3:12 (RSV)

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard
one must help the weak, remembering the words
of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 
'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 
-- Acts 20:35