Hope in Weakness

Earlier this morning at a breakfast table, I engaged in a very interesting conversation with Joy. I just wanted to give her a simple compliment that could make her day. I said, “Joy, you are so beautiful inside and out!” And I shared with her what one of her friends’ mom shared with me about Joy a while ago. The family have a daughter (joy’s friend’s older sister) who has some kind of noticeable physical disability. When joy had a playdate with her friend at their house, she had a fun time with her friend and her sister. The mom told me that she was so impressed that joy wasn’t scared of her daughter like many other girls in her age but was so warm and friendly toward her daughter, and they had such a great time together. As I shared this with Joy, I said, “that’s having a beautiful inside, beautiful heart. I am glad that you don’t judge people by their looks”. Joy responded, “If someone said someone’s ugly, that’s their opinion (she’s been using these college words a lot these days). I know everyone is beautiful because God made them. I have a problem too (she’s recently developed a tic disorder which caused some vocal and movement tics.) and everyone have big and small problems. And that’s ok. That doesn’t make anyone not beautiful.” I was tearing up. That was mature. That was deep. Her recent medical condition has caused so much anxiety and fear in me. There have been so many nights I couldn’t sleep but fell into this deep hopelessness and doubts about God’s goodness. However, how God has been dealing with this issue with Joy was a total surprise to me. How and whatever God did with her…. Now I see this 6 year old girl being full of compassion, courage, and humility. God has helped her to accept her weakness as something God allowed and believe that it won’t make her any less beautiful or important because she’s made by God. And she sees others in the same way. As God promised me, the weaknesses of my children will continue to mold them to depend on Him and help them understand, embrace, and serve others. God is good. He always has been.