Beatitudes for Friends and Family
Blessed are you who take time to listen to difficult speech,
for you help us persevere until we are understood.
Blessed are you who walk with us in public places
and ignore the stares of strangers,
for we find havens of relaxation in your companionship.
Blessed are you who never bid us to “hurry up,”
and more blessed are you who do not snatch our tasks
from our hands to do them for us,
for often we need time – rather than help.
Blessed are you who stand beside us,
as we enter new and untried ventures,
for the delight we feel when we surprise you
outweighs all the frustrating failures.
Blessed are you who ask for our help,
for our greatest need is to be needed.
- Author Unknown
I’ve been in Romania for several weeks now with my orphan friends and family, listening at times to “difficult speech” from some who challenged with disabilities. What’s struck me most this time, though, is their great perseverance in listening to MY difficult speech as I struggle to put a few Romanian words together, or work with a translator a phrase at a time. It just takes a long time to get even a simple point across!
Slowed way down, I’ve found the quality of communication changes… in many ways, for the better. Though frustrating at times, difficult speech requires an attentiveness that squeezes out distractions. We hang on each others’ few words, and savor the flashes of real understanding. The process seems also to prepare us to enjoy times together where no words are needed.
Thanks to my friend Scott Lundeen for this video, part of the Urban Entry project… together with friends from TRYAD (to reconcile you able-bodied and disabled).
My name is Scott Dewey, and I’m exploring transformational ways of "seeing" in places not usually recognized as filled with light. I have long been intrigued by the intersection of social action and spiritual life.
Aw, gee, Scott. Wasn’t expecting to start my week with something so close to home…. thanks for posting it.
Yes VERY close to home for you I know Deb. Be encouraged…
Scott… Your words, your life, your treasured Kingdom trajectory of serving others always humbles this olde soul. Keep these thoughts and challenges coming…for I need/want them…and am thanking our God this AM back home here in Colorado that you are leading me/us to both deeper and higher places where God is waiting and wanting us to be. The Triune’s guidance through your faithfulness stuns me as this day breaks open there…and here………..thank you. Prayers continue for the journey…….there and here. …Wes
Scott – thank you for your Kingdom work and for sharing it with us. This was incredibly challenging as I begin my week. Thanks for that. Jon
Scott,
Will be sending this on to others who are ministering to OUR disabled. Please pray for me – that i will be a sweet messenger of CHRIST’s love and GRACE! Pam
Scott,
Thank you for you soul-searching words that penetrate my heart and soul. Thanks, Mike
Good to hear from you Mike… Hope we can continue to connect.