Friday, March 25, 2016

Inclusion in the Church

As I was studying for an upcoming blog post I stumbled across this verse and it hit me. Hard.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.  
Romans 15:5-7 (ESV)

This hit me because this is true inclusion. We (special needs parents) spend so much time and energy trying to help our kids be included, and that is necessary, but this, this is true inclusion. Inclusion because, despite all the differences disability brings out and causes, we always have Christ in common. I challenge you to read this verse, memorize it, lock it in your head and your heart and make an effort to welcome and include one another as Christ has welcomed you.
To the families at IPC: thank you.  Thank you for including and accepting my family. Thank you for never thinking twice about my children's disabilities. Thank you for modeling all of this to your children so that my children have found true friends.  Thank you with the utmost sincerity. Thank you.