Josiah's Journey

Angels come in all shapes and sizes. They come when you least expect them. They swoop in. They know exactly what you need. Even when you don't. They are there when you need them.

I wonder sometimes. If Josiah was not in our family, would it be different? Would we have had as many angel encounters? Or, do we simply notice them because he is in our life? Through him we have met so many who possess a rare depth of kindness. Compassionate souls who go out of their way to serve and to love. Angels who have
brought meals
sent cards
offered encouraging words
sat with us in hospital rooms
flew in from out of state to babysit our children
cleaned our house
did our laudry
ran our errands
watched Josiah at church
listened
prayed
held us when we cried
gave us money
gave us a car
gave their time
gave their love
gave us hope

They gave of themselves. They helped us grow. Through them we have become more compassionate. We have become more giving. We have learned to reach out to help others. Had Josiah not been in our lives, we would have missed out on all of that. Is it easy being the parent of a child with special needs? No. Absolutely not. It's not something I would ever wish for anyone.

And yet, a song that I've played over and over and over the past few weeks says it best:

What if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

I know one thing for sure. We are stronger now. Much stronger than we were before Josiah was born. Our faith is greater also.

We never thought we could parent a child with special needs. I can't imagine who we would be without him.