I watched a BYU Devotional this morning by Dallan Moody. He talked about responding to trials in our lives by telling the story of one of his sons who came into this world with many challenges. Doctors told them to take their little son home and not to bring him back to the hospital because the doctors had done everything they could for him. He might live a few weeks, a few months, or with an outside miracle, up to two years. Brother Moody told of the many days and nights of service that their family and friends gave to that little boy before he returned home to Heavenly Father last month at the age of seven. Brother Moody thought it was a miracle that this beloved child lived for seven years, but a visiting General Authority told him, "You are being exhalted." Then he realized the real miracle was in what happened to himself, his wife, and his family because they had the opportunity of serving a special-needs child for those years.
As the mother of Cameron I agree. These special children are sent to us to exalt and teach us. I look at my children and husband and know that we are all better people because we have Cameron in our lives. Those of us who have grandchildren with special needs realize that they refine us, and their parents, our children, become better people because of the trials. I can do hard things. A Christian friend of mine who has great faith and insight once corrected my motto to say, "I can do hard things through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who lifts me up." And I can--because He is there.
