This has got to me the most reassurring, and at the same time, most irritating piece of "advice" that I get. It's also the most frequent. I think it comes from not knowing what else to say. Or the little gem "God only gives you what you can handle." Bulls--t. I agree with Lori Miller Fox: I think that God gives you what He sees fit and how you handle it is up to you. How do we do it? I'm not sure myself! A huge part of dealing is my faith. I choose to turn to Him for comfort instead of turning away. This is a decision that has to me re-made on a daily basis, and some days I waver. Several years ago, my Grandma had sent me a tape of Focus on the Family where they were discussing God and raising kids with special needs. I am not a big fan of Dr. Dobson, but they had Lynn Hamilton on whose book I had just read, so she gained my attention. They also had a dad on whose name I wish I remembered, but one thing he said really got to me. "There are no agnostics among special needs parents. You are either on your knees at His feet or you hate Him and you want Him out of your life for what He's done to you." No truer words were ever spoken. Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. THAT is how we do it. Yes, we don't have much choice, but we can choose how we deal. One of Pastor's sermons comes to mind....Bitter or Better??? You can become bitter and mad at the world and the One who made it, or you can let your circumstances make you better. It really IS up to you!
