It's Time to Make a Space

For the past 8 years, I have had the privilege of working with families caring for medically fragile children. Through that experience I have come to appreciate and understand some of the challenges families with a special needs child face. I’ve learned that they want the same thing we all want for our children. They want their child to know they are loved, that they have a purpose, and that they are included. Often there just is not a place like that for their child. I think the response they get from others can leave them feeling that their child is a burden or a challenge or a problem to be solved. And they face that in a lot of different settings, in their community, sometimes in their own families, and sadly, I think, even more so in the local church.  

From my experience, the majority of these families do not attend church. Perhaps some of them don’t wish to, but I know for a fact that some of them have given up. They have decided it is really not an option for them. Maybe their child is disruptive or their child has a medical component that is too scary or intimidating for people. They know that people feel uncomfortable and nobody wants to be in that situation or make other people feel that way.

I have attended Trinity for 27 years and my own 3 children took part in the ministries offered. Each one went from nursery through youth group enjoying the benefits and infinite blessing of being loved and taught and discipled to know and love Jesus Christ as their Savior. We need to make sure that there is a place for families with other-abled children.

Couldn’t we make a space for them? 

A place created with them in mind. A place where they can be welcomed and wanted. Where we can tell these families, “We WANT your child. We want you to be a part of our church family. We want to serve your entire family including your child that may have needs quite different from a typical child.” Trinity has a long history of serving a few families. But there are so many more. 

Consider if you could be the hands that serve. We can get training. We can learn together. They are just children who deserve to know about Jesus’ love for them and need to be a part of their church family.

It may not be easy, but it will be worth it. For the parent, for their child, for us, and for God’s glory.

Let’s make a space for them together.

If you’re interested in learning more about how you could serve with TrinityKids Unlimited, please email me.

— Ronda Spaulding, Coordinator for TrinityKids Unlimited