A Special Faith

Article By: Dee Jones, President of Light 2 World, Inc.

Kam, what are you doing?”

“Mommy, I am washing your feet.”

What a surprise to find our nine-year-old preparing to wash my feet!

Children are truly literal thinkers. Our son heard the sermon about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in church (John 13). Although he appeared to be napping, he was paying attention and wanted to serve like Jesus did.

Teaching a child with special needs about faith should be tailored to the child’s level of understanding. Whether your child is verbal or nonverbal, learning about God can be fulfilling for you both.

Here are a few practical strategies that can help:

Build a foundation on truth:

Teach biblical truth about God, His purpose, and disability. Your child was made in God’s image. Jeremiah 29 reminds us that God has plans for His people, while Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good. Trials will come, but you are not alone. Find a Bible-teaching church and study God’s Word with others.

Creativity and adaptation:

You know your child best! Make faith fun with games, toys, and music. Focus on biblical truth, but laugh and be silly, too. Have a foot-washing session or find other hands-on ways to bring Bible lessons to life.

Family interaction:

Find a faith family at church for support, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Connect with other families of children with special needs, volunteer to help others, and involve the whole family in ministry.

Self-care:

Caring for yourself is vital. Make time for your spiritual, physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.

Purpose and joy:

We are made in God’s image and for His glory. The Gospel gives us hope: God loves us so much that He gave His Son, Jesus, so that we could have eternal life with Him (John 3:16).

Remember that you are not alone:

Whatever trials your family faces, God sees you and is with you. Revelation 21:4 promises a day when there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you share in this hope.

Our son once wanted to attend an outdoor hymn sing. I was tired and we were already late, but we went anyway. We sang hymns, he played games, and the event ended with prayer.
As I was packing up, Kam said, “Mom, I want to talk to the pastor.” We did, and Kam prayed with Pastor Jim to receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior! I hadn’t realized how much he had absorbed from years of sermons, but God got through the naps, impulsive outbursts, and fidgeting…straight to his heart.

God reminds us to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6).

Trust God with your life and your child. Lean on His strength and find joy and peace beyond human understanding.

You are not alone.

Read more articles from VOM Magazine here: www.veteransoutreachministries.org/vom-magazine