Serve by Design

I heard a father speaking with pride about his son the other day. It’s not uncommon for a parent or grandparent to speak about his family with joy and delight! I should know because I am a shameless “doting grandparent!” This father is a church leader who remarked quite loftily that his fourteen-year-old had taught him “more about the Kingdom and every moment being holy” than any other person he knew! What may or may not surprise you is that this man’s son was developmentally disabled with Down syndrome. Kindness and Inclusion! Image credit: nicepng.com The Centers for Disease Control estimate that about one in six children (about 17%) in the United States today, ages 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities. I can speak fondly of several special needs children, youth, and adults. We were blessed in every church where I have served to have these special individuals included among us. I also have a beloved, adult-aged niece who is challenged in this way. I can say ...

Rice University's Kinder Research Institute has reported that "Houston, Texas is the most ethnically diverse city in America." ( https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/2019/05/14/not-only-houston-getting-more-diverse-residents-households-are-too ) That's a pretty bold statement and I could expect that some residents of Los Angeles, Chicago and New York might take exception to this research conclusion. I do know that it was the most diverse city I have ever lived in! From 1984 to 1991, I pastored in southwest Houston and witnessed firsthand how Sharpstown was undergoing demographic and ethnic changes. At that time, the Houston I.S.D. was a reflection of this shift with 125 languages being spoken within its school population. Our children were in the minority attending their neighborhood schools that were approximately 40% Hispanics, 40% Asians and the other 20% divided among the Blacks and Whites. Linking Hands and Hearts! Image Credit: clipart-library.com Our church was si...