A Year of Abundance for Special Needs Familiesமாதிரி

Day 1 – A Place of Abundance

Ten years ago, our daughter experienced a brain injury that led to lifelong epilepsy, blindness, immobility, and cognitive delay. Since then, our life has been filled with procedures, appointments, medications, special diets, special equipment, late nights, mystery ailments, and a lot of missing out on normal life. But I have to say, these are not the elements that stick out to me when I think of her life – of our life. I think of many years of happy giggles from Jane and her sisters... a lot of memorable adventures in the minivan... I think of supernatural financial provision. I think of many late nights, feeling so desperate for God, yet sensing a nearness to Him that we would not know had it not been for her diagnosis and our humble questions. When I think of our life I think of “abundance”. And that is in fact what God promises us. Yes, even us who have been sideswiped or inconvenienced by a special needs diagnosis.

The author of Psalm 66:12, who we have every reason to assume is King David, explains how God allowed a season of trial for him, but that is not where his story ends! He says, “You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.” The operative words here are, “We went through fire and through water.” A lot of times when you are going through things it can feel like that’s where you’re going to live forever! But that’s just not what the Bible says. God says that not only are we merely walking through these trials, but we will be led out and into a place of abundance. That word abundance in the Hebrew is “revayah”, meaning “well-filled and running over”. Overflowing with goodness, provision, strength and whatever else it is you need for this journey. That is a wonderful assurance for the weary heart! You will be led out! Not only will particularly rough seasons end, but they will end in abundance.

Jesus reassures His disciples in the New Testament, right before they get in the boat and experience that very famous storm (that Jesus sleeps through), “We are going to the other side.” He never intended that they would perish in the waves; He intended to take them to the other side! Now, we don’t know what trials will come, and they will certainly last for different times for different people, but we do not have to wait until our prayers are answered to see the fullness of God’s abundance.

I used to think that once our trial ended, then we would see God’s goodness, but now, I am convinced otherwise. The goodness can start right here and now – in the middle of questions, and in the middle of all the pivoting and rearranging that a diagnosis requires. This place, right here, can be a place of abundance. And if it doesn’t feel abundant now, you can be sure, it doesn’t end here, He will bring you through it!