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THE LOST SHEEP
“What do you
think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has
gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains
and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds
it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the
ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of
your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be
lost.”
What a simple concept — everyone is
important! I live this every day working with students with
special needs. But I’ve also had the pleasure of seeing my
daughter apply this concept in her own life.
It’s easy to recognize different people as
unique beings. It’s much less easy to recognize that each
individual person has something to offer all of us.
As early as kindergarten, my daughter was
asked to help other students in her class. As time went on, she
didn’t have to be asked; but more importantly, she began
including students who weren’t included by others — those who
were physically, socially or academically different than others.
Her inclusion of differently abled people
continued to evolve to the point that several years ago she
began to volunteer at the summer school where I teach students
with developmental disabilities. The volunteer time helped to
develop her desire to work on staff when she gets older. The
class in which she usually volunteered had students with more
challenging behaviors. I got to see her sharing her nonstop
smile with students who have behaviors many others shy from.
Her relationships with these children
didn’t stop when summer was over. As a participant in her
school’s Circle of Friends, she gets to mentor students with
special needs. This mentoring includes helping these students
understand hidden social agendas so that they can participate in
regular education classes, like PE, and social activities, like
skating parties.
These children have become her friends.
I’ve gotten to see how she lights up when she sees these friends
and runs to greet them across the basketball arena, at the gym
or at a store. She remembers names and favorite activities and
is always enthusiastic in greeting them. These children know
that they have a friend.
Everyone is important. My daughter’s life
is more complete because she has gotten to know some special
children who make a difference in her life and because she
continues to look for opportunities to include these children
with developmental disabilities. My life is more complete
because I get to see the great things my daughter does.
Dear Lord, thank you for including
everyone in your love. Please help us continue to find the
opportunities to share your love with ALL others. Amen
Karen Vlamis
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