Common Obstacles to Belonging
“A history of exclusion or inhospitable attitudes can have a wounding effect on people with developmental disabilities and their families.”[1]Erik Carter A few weeks ago I interviewed a 24-year old young woman, who we will call Julie. She has lived with...
Who are the Ones the World Leaves Behind?
The poem you read last week invites you to ponder the “ones the world leaves behind.” It is true that many people could be called “the stranger” until they are brought into community. Many are also marginalized and excluded for being part of...
The Body Needs More
Remember the call—Go,make disciplesof all. Go means gather,see who existsbeyond the walloutside:the stranger,the marginalized,stigmatized,ones the worldleaves behind. Please don’t waitfor us to arrive.We might be late;We may be stuck,feeling forlornor...
On Provision in the Present
I never thought I’d say I survived a tornado. But in early August, that’s exactly what happened. A tornado blew right over our house at 3:00 in the morning. There was no time to prepare, no time to move to a “safer” spot. The power went out, my breathing machine quit,...