BBC Disability Ministry

BBC Disability Ministry Blog » The Helpful Things People Say or Do

Back to Home Written on 28-Aug-2009 by john.knightsr

A while back we had a series on some of the difficult things that people say to us, and how we respond. Dianne has reminded me it is time to turn to some helpful things people have said or done.

After 14 years of living with Paul and almost five years with Dianne's cancer, I have a lot of things! God has been merciful to bring people into our lives, sometimes just for a moment, and sometimes for years or decades.

But it was easy to think of who to concentrate on this morning, because in a couple of hours my family will be packing up to go celebrate a special weekend with them.

The reason: 60 years of marriage! Isn't that something! The legacy of Harland and Pauline (Larimore) Knight includes three children, nine grandchildren and now four great-grandchildren! The stories of their faithfulness to me and to my sisters could go on a very long time.

So, they might show up a few times in this series, but I'll give you just a taste right now:

Paul was born without eyes, the first of his disabilities we would discover. Surgeons in Minnesota could not adequately address his under-developed eye sockets, which would result, over time, in some very significant problems in his facial development. In the entire United States, there were only two doctors who had developed two different techniques to address issues like this. We chose the clinic and doctor in Indianapolis.

Since we live in Minnesota, this obviously meant traveling and finding lodging and dealing with a hundred details associated with the medical procedure for our very young boy. And we would have none of the comforts of home we had learned could be helpful for Paul in his recovery.

Grandma and Grandpa's solution? Drop everything (that statement doesn't have the impact that it should. Winona, MN practically stops working when they leave town, such is the number of things they do to serve people there. I've stopped counting the number of service awards they've received because I can't count that high!), throw a rocking chair in the trunk (not as easy as it sounds), drive 500 miles one way, and spend days in the middle of an emotional storm with their son and daughter-in-law taking turns rocking their grandson.

Because they knew Paul liked to be rocked. And they knew Dianne and I would need some time alone together in that strange place to process what was happening, or just to rest. And because they simply couldn't not do something.

So, I am a grateful son who can say of his mother:

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:26-29

And if I have learned anything in how to serve my family, it is because of my father:

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 1 Timothy 3:2-5

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

More stories to come. And I hope you will consider contributing by sharing the helpful things people have done or said to you!

Send to a friend

Tags: helpful,parents,anniversary,proverbs 31,1 timothy 3

Comments

written on 06-Jul-2010
ed hardy [http://www.mycheapedhardy.com] says:
We'r ed hardy outlet one of the most profession of the coolest and latest ed hardy apparel, such as ed hardy tee ,ed hardy bags, ed hardy bathing suits, ed hardy shoes, ed hardy board shorts ，ed hardy watches women,ed hardy jeans for women ed hardy swimwearand more, ed hardy clothing. We offers a wide selection of fashion cheap ed hardyproducts. Welcome to our shop or just enjoy browsing through our stunning collection available wholesale ed hardy in our shop.
written on 06-Jul-2010
ed hardy [http://www.mycheapedhardy.com] says:
We'r ed hardy outlet one of the most profession of the coolest and latest ed hardy apparel, such as ed hardy tee ,ed hardy bags, ed hardy bathing suits, ed hardy shoes, ed hardy board shorts ，ed hardy watches women,ed hardy jeans for women ed hardy swimwearand more, ed hardy clothing. We offers a wide selection of fashion cheap ed hardyproducts. Welcome to our shop or just enjoy browsing through our stunning collection available wholesale ed hardy in our shop.
written on 13-Nov-2010
monclerlife [http://www.monclerlife.com] says:
September 1991 25 Japanese Supreme Court today rejected rock hand county council, Moncler jackets county authorities, especially GeLiao government appeal verdict formal visits to the yasukuni shrine violates the moncler coats 2010 constitution. Japan’s Supreme Court decision to confirm the higher court sendai 10th January 1991 regarding visits to the yasukuni shrine violates the constitution. moncler sale High court of rock sendai hand county residents of the yasukuni shrine litigation trial. Action that rock hand county council in 1979 to achieve the requirements as the emperor, Moncler the prime minister official visits to the yasukuni shrine’s resolution and speaker, county aid in 1981 as 35 people pay visits to the yasukuni shrine at public expense of incense money violates the constitution about the principle of separation of and requirements of more than 20,000 yen to recover the temple.for money. Moncler jackets sale The trial, the higher court that sendai formal visits to the outlet moncler shrine on purpose in religious significance, should say with particular religious care to arouse the behavior, Moncler jackets Men belong to the con-stitution forbids religious behavior. The money paid as incense beneath the rock pursuit separation principle of neutrality hand county authorities. moncler jackets women Carlo ancelotti has confirmed, terry told me he had outlet moncler problems, hope can be ruled out. I take the anelka was suspended for drogba, so he will play on Wednesday. moncler jackets women black We hope that John terry and frank lampard could even pay, but I think they must be able to train well before.
written on 18-Aug-2011
wow gold says:
http://www.topmmogoldz.com buy wow gold
written on 28-Sep-2011
cheap clothes online [http://www.cheapmass.com] says:
It makes me feel so surprise.I never know there is such a place that I can find cheap designer clothing,The site offers different designer clothing wholesale kinds of LV,Chanel,Coach etc.It's really a great clothes stores with cheap and high quality.Join it now!
written on 28-Sep-2011
ken griff shoes [http://www.cheap-griffeys.com] says:
This article is impressive,I hope that you will continue doing nice article like this.And do you like ken griff shoes,I have collected many beautiful griff shoes these years, the griff are so popular, I think you also can shop one ken griff shoes online store.
written on 25-Oct-2011
UGG Classic Cardy [http://www.loveuggbootsale.co.uk/] says:
These UGG Classic Cardy are a dream! They are extremely comfortable and very stylish too. Great with leggings and for sore, pregnant feet!I love these UGG Classic Cardy Boots. They are warm and super comfy! They are a bit larger than the leather UGG Classic Cardy Sale but once you put socks on they feel much better. They look great folded down and also slouched as well. I get tons of compliments on them. I want them in every color!
written on 14-Nov-2011
UGGs Cheap [http://www.winterbootsale.co.uk/] says:
This site is very interesting and also great. I'm glad to find out this ste immediately. It's very informative.

Page navigation

BBC Disability Ministry Blog » The Helpful Things People Say or Do

Comments

Leave a Comment

Advertisements