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!!!!