You Are Not Alone

Brent Anderson

Email pba@xmission.com web site www.xmission.com/~pba

Many come to this world with physical and mental handicaps. Each is destined to struggle in a private world, which is defined by the restraints of their own particular adversity. While these chance genetic inheritances are unfair, they nevertheless fit within the spectrum of genetic probabilities. This is of little solace to those who are challenged to fit into the society of the norm. For you my Brothers and Sisters, I write a few words that I hope you can use to uplift your spirits.

No one can know or understand the challenges that you must deal with on a daily basis to survive in this competitive world. While I say that I have empathy you must understand that no one can know what your personal trials are, nor can they understand the private world within which you live. My view only reveals the world as I see it, just as yours reflects the world, as you understand it.

We each struggle daily to overcome our own personal challenges and strive to cope and compete in a world in which the playing field is permanently tilted. It is very hard to be different from the norm and all feel, at times, that no one cares, even though they know in their hearts that family and friends do care.

When you feel down you need not be alone. At those times remember that in our Fathers Kingdom the race does not always go to the swiftest. Though you may lag behind the rest, you have an innate advantage that can win the race. You are different from the norm, but your difference gives you advantage when it comes to understanding and learning to love your brothers and sisters. From your humble position it is difficult to be proud and arrogant, and that is a supreme advantage in our Fathers eyes.

Your circumstance gives you an innate advantage in developing your ability to forgive, and that ability will help you win the race. Without forgiveness for all you could and probably would, become bitter and reclusive. To retreat to such a world would be akin to locking yourself in a prison where all there is to do is think about societies injustices for the rest of your life and into eternity. By forgiving society in general, and the bullies in particular, you are in actuality freeing yourselves from a prison of your own making. All of us are the children of God the Father and he values the handicapped and abused far above the abusers of the world.

Of even more importance, your humility presents you with an opportunity do something that is extremely difficult for those who seek power and fame. That is to establish two-way communication with our Father. He knows of each of your trials, loves you unconditionally, and does not expect you to do things that are impossible. In the past perhaps you have sought him in the speech and writings of others. That is the way that normal society would dictate that you find God. However, our Father would have you approach Him in prayerful conversation. Conversation is a two-way communication that requires listening as well as talking. Your prayers should be private and repeated frequently during an average day. There is no need to always kneel or to vocalize the words, but just think them, and no one needs know you are praying in the quite moment.

Don’t be afraid to listen when you talk to Father, remember He has said that if you seek you will receive. When listening you must clear your mind of worries and wait for the gentle loving words to play across your mind. If you don’t succeed on the first try don’t be disheartened, try again until you learn to recognize and understand what Father is telling you. Do not expect a physical voice but concentrate on the loving thoughts that trickle across your mind like living water. Our Father only speaks of love and serving others, so it is not hard to recognize his voice once you are tuned in. If you will do this, he will give to you the comfort and love that you need. Once you have established communication impossible things may even become possible. He will not ask you to run before you can walk. He will only ask you to strive to improve every day in the ways that he directs.

If you desire your Fathers thoughts and seek him, you will find that life’s burdens will become less and your spirit will soar free. With this new perspective you will find it easier to deal with others and start accomplishing more of your goals. Always remember that the trials of life typically arise because of the inherent selfishness of the natural man, and that you cannot change others, only yourself. If you follow the Father’s council you will succeed and win that most important of all races. Choose goals that fit who you are while avoiding goals that require talents that you don’t have. No matter what goal you set for yourself, give more than anyone else does and your efforts will not go unrecognized.

It is all right to be imperfect as long as you strive to become better. Having a disability does not make you a bad person, but it just may make you a good person. The normal are little mindful of how sensitive you are to intentional or unintentional slights. Because you are so easily hurt by unthinking comments, it is imperative that you forgive everyone and give Father the sole right to judge the actions of his children. If you wish misfortune on any one who may have wronged you, you may well be judged with those who have never learned to forgive. Can you imagine how miserable you would be spending eternity in the company of all the bullies of the world?