Extending Grace Even When It Hurts

Yesterday Maddie and I went to the pool For the most part people have been so wonderful to Maddie, and accepting her for the wonderful and special person she is. However, yesterday was my first experience with someone very insensitive. Maddie was walking around the pool playing and stopped and sat down with some kids. Their dad was sitting right by them in a lawn chair. As I was standing there watching Maddie play he asked me, "what happened to her arm?" A question I am fine with answering and answer multiple times a day. I replied, "That's how she was born." He looked at me and said in a very stern voice, "well, you know she is going to have major psychological problems don't you?" I replied back by telling him kids without limbs are statistically happier than kids with all limbs, and she is more than perfect the way she is. This was God's will for her life. He proceeded to judge me and ask me if we were going to seek counseling to help her deal with her missing her arm. I was pretty shocked at the things he was saying and the judgments he was placing on me. He proceeded to accuse me and say, "well, you know there was a drug back in the day that caused children to be born without limbs." I was in shock and couldn't believe someone would accuse me of taking a drug and saying I did this to my child. After that comment, I told him to have a good night, and took Maddie's hand and went to the other end of the pool. The Holy Spirit gave me strength and self control, because looking back I'm surprised I didn't get mad or start crying.

An hour later we left the pool and as I was putting Maddie in her car seat I gave her the biggest hug and started to cry. I was upset that someone could be so cruel who doesn't even know Maddie or I. But I realized this is one person out SO MANY who have been wonderful and accepting of Maddie. As I was thinking about this incident today, I learned I need to extend grace just like the Lord extends GRACE to us day after day, after day. Even though I was hurting inside, there was no sense in being bitter, but to give grace to the ignorant and forgive.

After crying a little bit while telling my husband the story from yesterday, I decided to take a look at my facebook page. Posted on my wall from a friend was this:

"So, I was looking at your newest picture just now with my little Wendy, who's 7, looking over my shoulder. She asked to see more of Maddie because, "She's so cute, Mommy. God must think she's really smart, too." I asked why she thought that, and she said, "Because He only gave her one arm. You have to be pretty smart to have just one arm." I think she's right--about the smart AND the cute thing--and I thought I'd share."


God timing is always perfect. This was just what I needed to hear tonight. Thank you Lord!!!!

Trend-Setter!

I want to start off by saying how much I love Maddie and the constant joy she brings to our lives every single day. She brings so much LIFE into our family! She just about melted my heart when I went to check on her when we got home from being out to dinner last night, and she asked me to give her a kiss. She is such a loving little girl, and I couldn't ask for a better daughter.

I wanted to share a little story with you that happened today in the nursery. Miss Robyn, who is the head of the children's ministry at CCOB shared this with me:) In the nursery today, some of the older kids were asking about Maddie's arm and why she only had one. Miss Robyn explained this was how God made her an answered some questions for them about her arm. I guess Maddie could tell everyone was starring at her, so she whipped her little arm out from her sleeve to show the whole class her cool little arm. She waved it around, and around, and around. Gotta love her confidence. One girl got really upset and said to Miss Robyn, " I have two arms, but I only want ONE!" How cute it that. Miss Robyn said she couldn't help her with that:) So I like to call Maddie the TREND-SETTER. It is now cool to have one arm just like Maddie. I thank the Lord for Maddie's confidence and sense of humor. This will get her so far in life and I am so excited to see the journey the Lord takes her on!

Quick update on the prosthetic. We go on wednesday for our second appt for a fitting to see how the arm fits while riding her tricycle. This arm will only be worn for when she is riding her bike, as I don't believe, she should wear a prosthesis all the time when she does fine without it. The doctors philosophy and our philosophy totally line up so that was VERY encouraging! We are going to make this prosthetic super cool and Maddie and I are going to go and pick out some girly fabric to be laminated on the prosthetic. Keep us in your prayers! Thank you! Here are a few pictures from our last visit....

At her appointment to visit Dr Rotter for her prosthesis. he made this shirt for her so she wouldn't get plaster all over her. It looks like a wife beater. LOL!
Dr. Rotter drawing smily faces on the mold made for her arm. He was so great with Maddie he called the plaster that was on her arm an "art project". Maddie still talks about her art project and she is looking forward to going back next week.

I'd also like to share... NO MORE DIAPERS FOR THIS GIRL! We started potty training the day after these pictures were taken. She's Loving her new Dora and Princess undies! Potty training was a breeze and she is doing fabulous!!