Thursday, December 2, 2010

Thankful Thursday- Maggie

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

As  the verse above states, children are a blessing from the Lord. Sometimes God chooses to double the blessing by giving a family the gift of a child who has special needs. What a gift these children are! Few things put the glory and power of God more on display than a child whose life has been wrapped in the challenges of a disability.


Ten years ago God blessed our family with one of these precious children. A little girl whose life He wrapped in a rare form of Down Syndrome.(My younger sister)  Form the moment I laid eyes on Maggie I fell deeply in love. Her beautiful, almond shaped eyes captured my heart, and I have never been the same since!


Through the years my love for Maggie has only grown as I have watched her grow, and learn, and develop a personality all her own! But, the love that I /our family has for Maggie cannot compare to the love and joy that she so freely gives to us and others! Hugs are her specialty! Whether she is around family, friends, or perfect strangers she is always ready to give a warm hug. Her smile lights up every room she enters! Her laughter is contagious! Her ability to so quickly forgive and forget is like nothing I have ever seen! How quickly  tears of sadness can be turned to tears of joy in her presence!

Not only am I thankful for her life and the love that is shared between us, but I am ever so thankful for the profound lessons and reminders that God has given me through her life.

Her pure delight in life’s most simple pleasures causes me to slow down, to stop, to be still and consider the blessings and the miracles that are wrapped in the ordinary moments of every day.

Her desire to always lend a helping hand reminds me to be generous.

Her innocence and wonder reminds me that I need to delight myself in the Lord.

Her childlike faith humbles me, and reminds me that I too need the faith like a child to draw near to my Father.

Her desire to pray often reminds me to pray without ceasing and believe!

Her trusting us to meet all her needs reminds me not to concern myself with the things that are meant for God to care for.

Her coming to us when she is hurt, or in need reminds me to cast all of my cares on the Lord.

Her questions remind me to seek Him.

Her joy reminds me that in Him there is fullness of joy.

Her love reminds me that the love of God is everlasting and notihng will ever be able to separate you and I from it!

Thank you, God for the gift of children and how they lead us to a closer walk with you!

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If you have children in your life who like to doodle click here to learn about a fun game that will help them learn how to draw some pretty cute cartoon faces! This looks like a ton of fun, and it sure to bring some laughter to your table!  Thanks Jill for sharing this resource!

Only By His Grace,

Melissa

2 comments:

Unknown said...

OK now we have to meet - SOON!

I must get to hug Maggie too :-)

Melissa she is so beautiful and you can literaly feel her joy from the inside oozing out in that photo!

Hugs and much love - thanks for sharing her with us today!

Jill
Who is very thankful for you!

Sarah said...

Our little ones truly are treasure ...

Delighted to meet you today. I hope you don't mind if I splash around a bit to get to know you. This looks like a refreshing place to dip my toes.

Splashin,
Sarah

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