Hi everyone,

 The following below was used by us at one of our team meetings here at the house and I found it a powerful reminder of how our perceptions of those with special needs must change.  L'Arche is founded on the principles of the gospel beatitudes. This is an adaptation.

Beatitudes for friends of the person with special needs

-Blessed are you who take time to listen to difficult speech, for you help us know that if we persevere, we can be understood.

-Blessed are you to walk with us in public places, and ignore the stares of strangers, for in your companionship we find havens of relxation.

-Blessed are you who never bid us to "hurry up" and, more blessed, you who do not snatch our tasks from our hands to do them for us, for often we need time rather than help.

-Blessed are you who stand beside us as we enter new nd untried ventures, for our failures will be outweighed by the times when we surprise ourselves and you.

-Blessed are who you ask for our help, for our greatest need is to be needed.

-Blessed are you who help us with the graciousnes of Christ, who did not bruise the reed and quench the flax, for often we need the help we cannot ask for.

-Blessed are you, when by all these things you assure us that the thing that makes us individuals is not in our peculiar muscles, nor in our wounded nervous systems, nor in our difficulties in learning, but in the God-given self which no infirmity can confine.

-Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and know that you give us reassurances that could never be spoken in words, for you deal with us as Christ dealt with all his children.

(From Christian Horizons, Elmira, ON and the Special Needs Planner 1998)

Isn't that a good reflection in itself? I have been trying to make these beatitudes my own while I am here.  It is a different rythum, but a taste of God at the same time.  Until next time.

Jeff