Blog Archives
This is My Story, This is My Song…
One of the most widely sung hymns in the African-American church tradition, has to be Blessed Assurance, at least it is at most of the churches I’ve been a part of. In my opinion, it’s such a powerful song, mainly because of the lyrics in the refrain. Song says,“This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.”
So, here’s what stands out to me, WE ALL HAVE A STORY! WE ALL HAVE A SONG! My story may not be your story, and my song may not be your song; but it’s my story and it’s my song! You ask me, “well, what’s a story and a song?” For me, the story is made up of our experiences, hopes, hurts, trials, tribulations, and testimonies in life. Our song, are the words of praise and thanksgiving, for making it through what we experienced. Watch this, even if we’re still in the storm, we sing a song because we know we’re coming out of the storm.
What’s the point of all this?
As men and women who have the opportunity to parent, super, mighty, and blessed children with special needs and disabilities, at some point we need to ACCEPT our story!!!!!!! Accept the fact, that your child has Cerebral Palsy! Accept the fact, that your child has Autism! Accept the fact, that your child has Down Syndrome! Accept the fact, that your child has ADHD! Accept the fact, that your child has Cystic Fibrosis! Accept the fact, that your child has Dyslexia! Accept the fact, that your child is Hearing Impaired! Accept the fact, that your child has Seizure Disorders! Accept the fact, that your child has……..!!! I’m sure by now, you get the idea. We can accept our story, because it’s our story, and it won’t change unless it’s God’s Will for it to change! At the same time, if it’s NOT God’s Will for our story to change, life won’t get better, until we accept our story!
The Good News is, once we accept our story, God will then reveal to us ways for us to find empowerment, purpose, destiny, mission, peace, and praise in our story. Then after we’re feeling empowered, purposed, destined, on mission, and peaceful, we’re now ready to sing our song of praise!
Yes, my child has Cerebral Palsy, but they’re still Super, Mighty, and Blessed!
Yes, my child has Autism, but they’re still Super, Mighty, and Blessed!
Yes, my child has Down Syndrome, but they’re still Super, Mighty, and Blessed!
Yes, my child has ADHD, but they’re still Super, Mighty, and Blessed!
Yes, my child has Cystic Fibrosis, but they’re still Super, Mighty, and Blessed!
Yes, my child has Dyslexia, but they’re still Super, Mighty, and Blessed!
Yes, my child is Hearing Impaired, but they’re still Super, Mighty, and Blessed!
Yes, my child has a Seizure Disorder, but they’re still Super, Mighty, and Blessed!
This is my song, this is my story, I’ll be praising all the day long about my child who is still Super, Mighty, and Blessed!
Love, Peace, and Blessings,
Brandon
Share this:
5 Questions to ASK yourself before you POP the QUESTION!
Have you been thinking about popping the BIG QUESTION, but you’re trying to muster up the courage to pop the question, or better yet, you’re wrestling with how to pop the question? Every time you see that person, you want to ask them the question, but you just don’t know how.
Similar to asking someone’s race or ethnicity, if they’re single or married, many people want to know what’s wrong with your child? What disability does he/she have? Were they born like that? How did it happen? From my own experience, many inquiring and/or nosey minds have asked questions about Super Mighty Max’s health and to be honest, some folk just have no etiquette or tact. Their questions come off at times as insensitive, rude, inappropriate, nosey, and genuinely caring.
Therefore, to help those who want to ask the parents of a special needs child or the person with special needs, what’s wrong with your child? What disability does he/she have? Were they born like that? How did your disability happen? My wife and I, have compiled a list of 5 Questions to ASK yourself before you POP the Question, and ask about someone’s disability or special needs.
- Do I really want to know what their special need or disability is? Have you ever stopped to think about why you want to know their disability? Are you asking just to make conversation? Are you just being nosey? Do you really care what’s going on with the child or that person? I’ve found out that some folk just want to make small talk and lazily make conversation without putting much thought into their questions.
- Do I have a relationship with the parents? I truly believe in relationship equity. The stronger your relationship with a person, the more they’re willing to share with you, and you with them. However, there are some questions that a stranger just shouldn’t ask another person, because it’s none of their business!
- Would I understand if they told me? Let’s be honest, disabilities tend to have long and wordy names that are hard to pronounce, and even harder to explain. So, if I told you what was wrong with my child, would you understand he condition and would you take the time to listen and learn about it?
- What will I do with the information? So, if the parent shared their child’s disability with you, now what? Will you have more compassion for the parents and child? Will you offer baby sitting services? Will you look to be an advocate for the child? Do you possess information or access to resources that will benefit the child and the family? Will you pray for the family?
- Am I asking to listen or am I asking to respond? When some people ask about your special needs child, they truly are concerned with the well-being of the child. However, there are too many times, when people feel the need to respond by saying, “Oh, don’t worry God’s going to work it out. Your child’s going to be a miracle, I can feel it! They will be just fine, my cousin’s auntie, nephew’s son has the same thing, and they’re doing just fine.” Sometimes, it’s better just to listen, and let the experts and/or parents who have traveled this road to offer the advice.
So, remember, before you POP the Question, make sure you first ask yourself the 5 questions listed above.
Peace,
Brandon
supermightymax.com 