Quote of the Day


When I hear somebody sigh, " life is hard" I am always tempted to ask, "Compared to what?"
— Sydney Harris

 Verse of the Day 

For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, He knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and He is wonderfully able to help us. 
–Prov 4:20-23

And then. . . 

As we entered our teenage years, mom believed that we should learn to become responsible adults and learn the joys of giving back to society. During high school, each of us had to decide where we would donate a summer. There were eight of us kids and we could choose any charity or organization which helped people.

I don't really know why my choice was the Institute of Logopedics (now called Heartspring) here in Wichita KS. It was a school to help children with severe speech impediments. Many of the children had cerebral palsy and I had never been around anyone with that type of problem. 

As summer volunteers, we were simply to help the people get around. One young man was somewhat out of place. He was a large person, probably in his early twenties with a pretty severe case. Most of the other people were young and easier to handle. Since most of the volunteers were girls, I was assigned Joe.  He had a towel slipped in his wheel chair to wipe the drool from his chin. He had very little control over his movements, and about all that he had to communicate with was a grunt. He was also very hairy and probably weighed twice what I did. 

My job was to help get him in and out of the bus and take him to the outings. My goal was to bring some pleasure to his life. As the summer progressed, I started wondering who was really the one who was "handicapped." As I came to know Joe, I realized that there was no way that I could out give him. Every act of the smallest kindness was rewarded with his big smile. During the course of the summer, I came to realize the value and worth of what the world calls unlovely. Thanks, mom.

Last update: 2/3/00