In Other Words

"When life whacks you so hard your head flies off, sew it back on and keep going." ~ Mary Pierce ~

There is this perception among some people that those of us who have special needs children are super parents. Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s special needs parent! Faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall mounds of paperwork in a single bound. Right. That’s me.

I will now admit to a terrible personal failing: I only pretend to be that parent. I am an expert at looking brave, seemingly composed and capable in the face of sometimes overwhelming circumstances. Taking on incompetent medical personnel without breaking a sweat seems to others like something I was born able to do.

There are times when I am prideful enough to believe I can do it. Alone. That is when I usually get blindsided, knocked almost into next Tuesday, as my grandma used to say. And yes, my head does fly off. But I cannot sew it back on myself. I’d like to think I was capable of such a feat, but God in His mercy keeps me from doing it all myself.

Along comes my friend. Noticing that something is missing from me, she starts to look about until she finds the lost part. Picking it up, dusting it off, she takes out needle and thread made strong by the Word of God. Stitch by sometimes painful stitch, she patiently sews me back together. For good measure she pours oil over my head and it soaks into my skin, bringing healing and peace and joy.

Then and only then can I keep going in the strength that comes not from my own efforts, but strength that comes from being kept whole by the love and faithfulness of my friends and an Almighty God.

The Spirit of the Lord is on Me; because Jehovah has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness; so that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1 -3)

*This entry is part of the “In Other Words” meme sponsored every Tuesday by Christian Women Online. Please click the link below for more information and links to other entries.

Comments

[Debbie]

I admire how you handle your stress because I don't know that I could have! And God knew you needed someone who could sew so he sent you your friend. Wonderful sharing!

[Heather]

Being the mom of a special needs child, I can so relate to this (and wrote about it regarding this quote!)

Thank you for sharing this, thank you for being open and honest... I enjoyed reading :)

-H

[Sissy B.]

A truly honest post. god, friends and family...a perfect sewing circle!! I enjoyed stopping by today, thanks.

[Jana]

Wonderful take on this quote! Thanks for sharing!

[Bernice]

Lovely example how we should all be with eachother as Christian sisters!
Thank you for your post, my heart was ministered to today!

[Nic]

What a lovely example of how we are to help bear one another's burdens! Wonderful post today. :)

[Kristina]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[Julana]

Ha, ha. So true.

[Darlene]

That was beautiful, I guess the friend is also there to help you keep that superwoman cape on. I imagine that must be a tough cloak to wear at times.

[Nancze]

Thanks for a wonderful post on the CWO "in Other Words" quote. I enjoyed reading your thoughts and insights. God Bless.

[Andrea]

I enjoy reading your blog. I read this article in Time magazine yesterday and thought you might find it interesting. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1214946,00.html

[Naomi]

"It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a special needs parent" I LOVE it. What a great post.