Focus on the Family

With all of the inclement weather – we are being given a wonderful opportunity to focus on the family.

We are experiencing record snowfall here in the Mid-Atlantic region. It’s been a long time since church services and schools were cancelled this much due to inclement weather.  (Electronic media has been extremely helpful in staying connected to some of my favorite teachers of the word of God.)   

During each of these snow storms, our family is taking advantage of the chance to slow down the pace of life; to have no place in particular to go; to take an extra minute to cuddle a little longer; to remove those mountains; to be reminded that we are with important people – each other.  We have laughed, played, prayed, and purged.  It’s been great.

OK.  Now when is school opening…..

What if there were no Facebook?

I have started using Facebook this year.  It’s been great.  It’s one more point of contact for the people I know and interact with at this stage of my life.  The best part is that Facebook has afforded me the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends who I have lost touch with for whatever reason.  I can’t help but wonder – what if there were no Facebook?  Why did I lose touch with so many loved ones?  What ever happened to cause those old friends from way back to stop calling or from me calling them?  I am different now.  Older.  And hopefully wiser.  To those who I could’ve done more to stay in touch with or who I may have offended long ago – I am sorry.  But something larger is in play here.

As I have reconnected to my old friends from my old neighborhood in Philadelphia, reconnected to my former church members, reconnected to countless cousins and school friends, I realize I miss them.  I miss having neighbors who call when they notice the light out back was left on all night.  I miss those holiday dinners with family where it was too crowded to find somewhere to sit.  I miss worshipping with people who I had relationships with outside of the church building.  I miss that strong community I once enjoyed.  The real question now is what am I going to do with this awareness?  I can’t help but wonder – is this a long, sad look backward or a longing in my heart for what I know real community is?  What I know for sure is that each and everyone of us need to be part of a strong, trusted, real-life community.  Where do I begin?  The only answer that matters – I must begin with ME.  I can be sure that family and current friends know how much they mean to me.  I can call my old friends from way back and say hello.  I can visit with the now elderly ladies I once worshipped with at my old church.  I can take that leap of faith and open my heart to new relationships with the people I worship with now.  I can begin to organize the next family reunion or class reunion.  I can get the word out when the old neighborhood is having the next block party.  I can organize the same in my current neighborhood with the people who are now my neighbors.  Big sigh.  Maybe everyone is on Facebook.  Maybe I can just post something to their wall….

Count It All Joy

Who could’ve imagined the magnificence of this journey.  I was one of those people who had it all under control.  All of the goals that I set for myself were being accomplished all according to plan – my plan.  Now, I know there is a greater plan and so humbly – I yield.  Who could’ve imagined what joy I would come to know becoming a Mom.  First through third…all a blessing!  I’m not saying that I haven’t known trials, tribulations or even heartache.  What I know is that I am to count it all joy.  I appreciate every milestone – no matter how small.  I know unconditional love.  I am learning how to think of myself less.  I hope to one day be entirely selfless.  I have learned the importance of hope.  I seek possibilities where none seem obvious.  I let love light the way.  I let my heart fuel the search and my hope sustain me.  Without hope, the question would be – why bother.  I count it all joy – every tear, every barrier, every step (or two) backward, every tough moment, every time a defeating thought comes, every battle, every no, every person who has no idea about this journey, and every happy face I muster the courage to put on when I don’t feel like smiling.  It has all brought me to this moment where I can give thanks to God for what he has brought me and my family through.  I count it all joy so that I can continue to hope.

Every child?

Every child has possibilities?  The short answer – YES!  Every child!!

I once heard a teacher talk about a child in terms that I found astounding.  She talked about this student as if his life was over; as if he weren’t worth her time; as if he (or she) had no reason to bother.  The teacher had no hope in this child or his future nor did the student. My heart sank.  I still feel pain for this child who I didn’t even know.  How might this student ever succeed, if the very person who is supposed to be educating him doesn’t believe he can.  For a child to have hope and live in pursuit of their possibilities – the adults in a child’s life must believe in them.

There are a lot of issues out there.  I am not naive to that.  Kids and families are battling for survival and for other basic life needs.  Devoted teachers and other passionate professionals who work in service to children are tirelessly looking for ways to achieve successful outcomes for children.

We must all possess the fundamental belief in the possibilities of ALL children. We must stand firm on the promises of God.

We must first know that every child belongs on this earth.  When anyone wonders what on earth is this child here for…we must confidently and boldly say – for God’s purpose.

• Jeremiah 1:5 says – “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…”
• Psalms 139:14 says – “…for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
• Psalms 119:73 says – “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me…”
• Exodus 4:11 says – “…Who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?“
• St. John 9:1-3 says – “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered, ” Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”

The Importance of HOPE

HOPE … that sense that things aren’t as bad as they seem.  And even if they are – HOPE reminds me that it can get better.  For families like mine and so many others dealing with a disability diagnosis, special healthcare need or difficult life circumstance for a child, HOPE is as essential as breathing.  HOPE is about a belief in the possibility that something positive is just around the bend.

I am a follower of Jesus Christ.  I find hope for my journey in the promises of God.  I can do nothing without HOPE.

The things I hope for are ways that my faith in God can be seen.  In the words ahead, it is my deepest desire that you find HOPE for your parenting journey.

Hello world!

Welcome to the blog of the HOPE Center Network for Families.  We believe that EVERY child has possibilities.  Our mission is to empower parents to reach for their child’s possibilities. 

Parenting is no easy task when facing a disability diagnosis, special healthcare need or difficult life circumstance for a child.  Know that you are not alone in whatever you might be facing.