And great crowds came to Him
(Jesus), bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and
many others, and they put them at His feet, and He healed them, so that the
crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame
walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel. Matthew
15:30-31
Every now and then I come across the story of a person
who impresses me. Today's devotion revolves around such an individual.
May I tell you about seven-year-old Annie Clark? She
goes to Wilson Christian Academy. This year she won a penmanship contest ... and
$1,000. The award is especially meaningful since Clark was born without hands.
She writes by moving the pencil with her forearms.
Pretty impressive, don't you think?
Well, this story isn't about Annie Clark. Yes, she is
special, but the real special folks who touched me are her parents: Tom and Mary
Ellen.
The couple has nine children: three biological kids
and six who were adopted from China, including Annie. She is one of the four
adoptees who have special needs, which affect their hands and arms.
Mary Ellen said, "Each time, we weren't looking to
adopt a special-needs child, but that is what happened. This was the family God
wanted for us."
Tom said, Annie is "an amazing little girl. It's a
shame because society places so many rules on how people should look, but the
minds of these kids are phenomenal."
Truly, little Annie is special; but her parents are
specialer.
Here is a couple whose love of the Lord is so big they
find it a blessing to welcome into their family children who have been avoided
and shunned by others. Then, having done what others might think is
extraordinary, they show the Savior's love by teaching those children that God
will do great and wonderful things for and with them.
These are the kind of people I wish I was. They are
the kind of people who remind me that the Lord Jesus can do great things if we
let Him work in us and through us.
I mean if the Lord can help Annie Clark win a
penmanship contest, what can't He do with all of us?
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You have always specialized in
doing what we humans consider to be impossible. Today I ask that You grant me
the grace to set my limitations to the side and be empowered to do something
special. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries http://www.lhm.org/
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