Because I love kids and horses, my best friend—who is also my sister—and I have volunteered every Monday for the past three years at a therapeutic riding stable that helps kids with physical disabilities. It may sound kind of weird, but it’s actually really cool. The horses’ motions help the kids to stretch and strengthen their muscles.
When I first started helping at the stable I was kind of sad to see so many kids with leg braces, crutches, and wheelchairs. I thought, “Why would God do this to someone?” But once I started working with them, I realized that these kids are happy to be alive—they weren’t sad. They don’t care that they aren’t like other kids; they are just happy to be themselves. I also realized how much joy they bring into their parents’ and siblings’ lives. It was wonderful to be with a smiling kid as they waited for a horse to ride. These kids are a blessing to their families and to me!
In the end, the “why” someone is a certain way isn’t something I need to concern myself with. What matters most is the person. God showed me that it doesn’t matter if people are different, how they look, or what they can or cannot do. The kids are amazing—they don’t look in a mirror and say, “Oh, I don’t like my hair or my eyes”; they are happy. Just simply happy. I am amazed how volunteering has made me feel close to God and these kids. This was and is one of the best experiences of my life.
—Catherine
No one’s perfect. What kinds of internal or external challenges or limitations do you have? How can those things also be part of a person’s witness to God’s work in their lives? How can your limitations still speak to others about your relationship with God?
Who is a blessing in your life and why? What are your strengths? What are your limitations? How can you be a greater blessing to others?