Broken People

This semester I'm doing an internship at a local day center for mentally disabled adults.  This is way out of my comfort zone and to be honest, something I never imagined myself doing.  I'm always drawn to working with kids more than adults.  However, Jesus so graciously opened the doors for this internship and clearly said "This way, my child...I want to show you more treasures."  And what treasures I have found!

I've only been working for one week, but I can't even begin to describe the joy that permeates this center.  There is just a sense of happiness and contentment and...I don't know, simplicity.  I have been so welcomed among my new friends.  On my second day, I could hear my name being echoed through the halls before I was even in the building good.  I was showered with hugs and smiles and shouts of joy...what better way to start the morning?  One precious girl came running over to me and threw her arms around my neck proclaiming, "My friend! My friend! This my friend, ya'll."

I spent quite some time playing "memory" (you know, the card game) with one of my new friends.  She is so sweet and precious, I can't even put her into words! And boy does she love to play memory!  As we played, we talked.  She asked me questions about my life and I returned the questions.  Finally she asked, "You go church?"  I responded, "Yes I do! Do you?"  She giggled and said, "No...Jesus in my heart."  Me too, sweet friend...me too.  We are kindred spirits because we serve the same King.

I am falling in love with another group of precious people whom the world has forgotten and tossed aside.  You see, for some reason, we see disabled people as "broken"  or "not quite there".  They are pushed away, they are labeled, they are taken advantage of.

As I study Scripture, I cannot find any justification whatsoever for labeling these treasures as less than perfect.

For You formed my inward parts;

You knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:13-14

God does not exclude anyone when He says we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Even disabilities serve a divine purpose for His kingdom glory.  And you know what?  Jesus is crazy about my new friends at the center.  As I am spending time there, as I'm absorbing their smiles, feeling their innocence, hearing their contagious laugher...I'm starting to wonder about some things. The more I spend time with these people who we've labeled as "broken", the more I beginning to wonder if I'm  actually the broken one.  

I think I'm going to learn a lot from my new friends.