The Difficulties We Have And Don't Have

 Yesterday Lydia had her first school visit. She is nearly five and she starts school part time next term. For the next few weeks she is allowed to visit one morning a week. Since she doesn't have a teacher aid until she starts, I need to come along to look after her.

Seeing her with the other children her age was a painful reminder of how different she is from the others and how much extra help she needs. It was one of those moments when it hits you again. 

I love Lydia just the way she is and I wouldn't change anything about her! She brings us alot of joy in a special way. But sometimes it's still hard. It's easy to feel envious of the other children.

Then I remember that having a special needs child IS difficult, but there are many other difficulties that I do not have.

Some women have lost a parent--I have both of mine. Some have divorced or separated parents--mine still love each other. Some have estranged parents--I have a good relationship with mine.Some long for a husband--I have one. Some long to have children--I have four. Some live across the ocean from their family--I live in the same country as most of mine. Some have lost their homes--I have a lovely home. Some have a terminally ill or disabled husband--my husband is healthy. Some have lost a husband to death or to unfaithfulness--my husband is alive and he loves me. Some are struggling financially--I have all I need. Some have lost the use of their body--mine works fine. Some are terminally ill or have health struggles--I am mostly healthy. Some long for their family to know the Lord--my parents and siblings love the Lord. Some wish their husband was a Christian--mine is. The list goes on and on.

Whatever difficulty we have, big or small, is real and it's hard. That's ok. We need to turn to God for His help even in the small problems. He will give us the grace we need and we need to give ourselves grace too. But it also helps to count all the difficulties that we don't have and to remember that we're not alone--we're not the only one who has a difficulty!