Comments on: What is Hope? http://www.uccdm.org/2007/12/17/what-is-hope/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:07:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Jeannette http://www.uccdm.org/2007/12/17/what-is-hope/#comment-67048 Jeannette Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:10:13 +0000 http://www.uccdm.org/2007/12/17/what-is-hope/#comment-67048 Hope is believing that I, who am not disabled, can make a difference for my children, who are. Hope is believing that my children will become self-reliant, grow confident, and be able to get along in society however that manifests itself for them. Hope is believing that someday I will be called to serve a church again, and that my children will be welcomed with open arms by that church. Hope is believing that someday I can share my faith in God with my children and they will understand what I am talking about even if they don't agree with me. Hope is believing that Jesus meant it when he said that children are the kingdom of heaven because my children will probably always be children no matter what age they reach. Hope is not letting depression get in the way of doing what needs to be done. Hope is many things to parents of special needs children. Most of all, we hope our children grow up. Hope is believing that I, who am not disabled, can make a difference for my children, who are.

Hope is believing that my children will become self-reliant, grow confident, and be able to get along in society however that manifests itself for them.

Hope is believing that someday I will be called to serve a church again, and that my children will be welcomed with open arms by that church.

Hope is believing that someday I can share my faith in God with my children and they will understand what I am talking about even if they don’t agree with me.

Hope is believing that Jesus meant it when he said that children are the kingdom of heaven because my children will probably always be children no matter what age they reach.

Hope is not letting depression get in the way of doing what needs to be done.

Hope is many things to parents of special needs children. Most of all, we hope our children grow up.

]]> By: Nancy http://www.uccdm.org/2007/12/17/what-is-hope/#comment-62180 Nancy Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:50:11 +0000 http://www.uccdm.org/2007/12/17/what-is-hope/#comment-62180 Like you, I have found that God uses me as I am, not as I might have hoped or planned. I am always humbled by those experiences where people say they were touched by my simply doing what I do as a priest--as I am. God has spoken through my disability more often than not.  I'm sure everyone of us has experienced God using our "weaknesses" in ways that power cannot and will not witness to God.  Christmas reminds us that God came to earth as a vulnerable baby, in a lowly manager, born to parents without power or riches. Jesus power to heal came not from worldly power but from a life grounded in God and prayer, and a willingness to  endure suffering and betrayal, while also forgiving and repeatedly letting go of anger, hurt, temptation, and judging others.  He also demonstrated that new life follows crucifixion and death.  Therein lies our deepest hope and perhaps our greatest gift to others.  Each of us has most likely experienced many crucifixions in living with disability. Yet we rise each day and witness to others God's presence, strength and grace as we live and work with disability or illness. We'll never know all the people who saw  or heard God Incarnate in us teaching them how to face life and go forward.  Thanks be to God for God's gift of grace enabling each of us to love and serve God as we are, in the image of God.  Like you, I have found that God uses me as I am, not as I might have hoped or planned. I am always humbled by those experiences where people say they were
touched by my simply doing what I do as a priest–as I am. God has spoken through my disability more often than not.  I’m sure everyone of us has experienced
God using our “weaknesses” in ways that power cannot and will not witness to God. 

Christmas reminds us that God came to earth as a vulnerable baby, in a lowly manager, born to parents without power or riches. Jesus power to heal came
not from worldly power but from a life grounded in God and prayer, and a willingness to  endure suffering and betrayal, while also forgiving and repeatedly
letting go of anger, hurt, temptation, and judging others.  He also demonstrated that new life follows crucifixion and death.  Therein lies our deepest
hope and perhaps our greatest gift to others. 

Each of us has most likely experienced many crucifixions in living with disability. Yet we rise each day and witness to others God’s presence, strength
and grace as we live and work with disability or illness. We’ll never know all the people who saw  or heard God Incarnate in us teaching them how to face
life and go forward.  Thanks be to God for God’s gift of grace enabling each of us to love and serve God as we are, in the image of God. 

]]> By: Nancy http://www.uccdm.org/2007/12/17/what-is-hope/#comment-62174 Nancy Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:44:56 +0000 http://www.uccdm.org/2007/12/17/what-is-hope/#comment-62174 <p> It is  important to discern feelings of hopelessness from depression which must be discerned  from disability fatique (DF).     DF is normal and occurs because there are no breaks from disability,and all that entails (medical, logistical, relational, access,  attitudes of others, etc.) It is tiring and depleting and we're entitled to time out to feel bad, acknowledge the hurt, grief, etc., and then to nurture ourselves in some life-giving way so we can return to life as it is.  The recurring cycle of grief also has to be acknowledged. We grieve whenever there is a change in our condition for loss of ability--real, perceived or hoped for; loss of work, dreams, hopes, plans, etc. If we recognize and honor each loss, we will soon  recognize grief and move through it as part of our lives. Likewise, depression is a common experience of living with disability. Unacknowledged it can lead to hopelessness. If we dialogue with depression, it will tell us what it wants and aid us in our spiritual journey.  It is  important to discern feelings of hopelessness from depression which must be discerned  from disability fatique (DF). 

   DF is normal and occurs because there are no breaks from disability,and all that entails (medical, logistical, relational, access,  attitudes of others,
etc.) It is tiring and depleting and we’re entitled to time out to feel bad, acknowledge the hurt, grief, etc., and then to nurture ourselves in some life-giving
way so we can
return to life as it is. 

The recurring cycle of grief also has to be acknowledged. We grieve whenever there is a change in our condition for loss of ability–real, perceived or
hoped for;

loss of work, dreams, hopes, plans, etc. If we recognize and honor each loss,

we will soon  recognize grief and move through it as part of our lives. Likewise, depression is a common experience of living with disability. Unacknowledged
it can lead to hopelessness. If we dialogue with depression, it will tell us what it wants and aid us in our spiritual
journey. 

]]>