For so many years we’ve had to focus on the developmental delays. We’ve been focused on his speech since he was 18-moths-old. We had to help him find his voice. These days we focus on helping him learn to read and all the things that make learning difficult.
Our world has been speech therapy appointments, IEP meetings and appointments with specialists.
Sometimes it’s hard to focus on the gifts when things are so hard.
But this year I’m determined to focus on all the things I love about him – the gifts God has given him – more than the hard stuff.
He has been given so many gifts – a determination that can’t be undone, an incredible imagination, a creative way of learning, an amazing memory and an impressive vocabulary. He knows more about vehicles than anyone I know. He also has a sense of humor that leaves people laughing and happy.
Seriously, he had his pediatrician rolling during our appointment a few months ago.
I thought to myself, “maybe he’ll be a comedian?”
God gently convicted me of needing to shift my focus as I read this verse in 2 Corinthians 12. It says: I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. (v.9)
But how do I keep my focus on his gifts, how do I appreciate them, when there are days that are just so, so hard.
I do what Moses did.
He persevered because he saw him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27b)
When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can keep going no matter how hard things become. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can see the good in the most difficult situation. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can more clearly see all the gifts just waiting to be unwrapped.
I’m choosing to shift my focus.
I’m choosing to appreciate the gifts.
And this shifting – this appreciating – it’s changing me.