We Don't Qualify

When I am out and about and the subject of Jonathan comes up, many people ask me why he is still living at home at the age of thirty two. The question always asked, "Aren't there programs and residential places for him?"

"Yes, there is." I explain, "but they are not free or cheap (and some of them are no good, but that's another topic). Someone has to pay for it and it's me and you, the tax payer who does, through the Medicaid system. Since there are about 20,000 people on a wait list for developmental services in the state and Medicaid is struggling, while simultaneously Florida is facing the same economic crisis as the rest of the world, there is not enough money to go around."

I recently decided that in spite of this gloomy scenario, it can't hurt to ask and requested the application needed to raise Jon's funding level so we can have him spend a few nights a month at the Duvall Home (where he attends an adult program a few days a week - when I can get him there!) with a long term goal of slowly adjusting him to move in permanently at some point. There aren't words to express how good this could possibly be for him and us and also the peace of mind it would give us knowing he is in a safe and secure place, especially as the years continue to fly by.

I received this document shown above which outlines the criteria for increased funding from the Florida Agency For Persons With Disabilities. As you can see there are three crisis categories, that should we fall into any one, has to be heavily documented by all sorts of folks who have a long list of letters behind their names but may be short on the experience of actually living 24/7 with a guy like Jon.

Our situation doesn't warrant any of these qualifications and quite honestly I'm thankful for that. Jon is not homeless, he is not a danger to anyone and we are still able to care for him. But that doesn't mean that as an adult, he shouldn't have the choice to move on, have more to look forward to everyday, more opportunities than we can provide for him and the chance to have the best possible life, something besides hanging out in his room and with his mom most of the time.

If we sold our house and lived under a bridge in our car, while Mike continued to work, we might barely have the resources to place Jon at Duvall full time. Obviously, that is not an option, but I am formulating information and a plan in my mind to move forward with this request. We don't fit the qualifications listed here, but like I said, it doesn't hurt to ask. 

My God is a miracle working God so I will bathe it all in prayer, hope for favor from some decision maker in an office up in Tallahassee and see what happens.

Will keep you posted.

Suddenly

Rebecca was doing what she did everyday when her knight in shining armor showed up on a white horse to ride her off into the sunset. Well…actually, no… her knight's family servant showed up on a camel to take her about six hundred miles across hot and dry terrain to a new husband she had not yet met. 

While reading Genesis twenty four, it struck me that the young woman was performing the usual - going to the well at evening to get water for her family. How many times had she faithfully carried out that menial chore with no fanfare, nothing but boring female gossip going on there; another day of walking with a heavy jar on her shoulder to fetch water, then carrying a heavier jar back home.

But in one day everything changed. Abraham's servant showed up and Rebecca, being taught to go the extra mile in acts of kindness, watered his caravan of camels and in doing so became the answer to Abraham and Eliezer's prayer for a wife for Abraham’s son Isaac, the son of promise.

So many people in the Bible were carrying out routine and unassuming tasks of life when their "suddenly" occurred. In a day, everything changed.

David was in a field watching sheep when Samuel called for him to be anointed king. Moses was tending his father-in-law's herds when a fired up bush started talking to him about being a leader of the Hebrew nation. Gideon was threshing wheat when God told him he was to be general over an odd army that would send the oppressive Midianites on a run for their lives. Simon the old priest, was carrying out his usual temple duties when the Christ child came through the sanctuary doors to be dedicated and Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishing when Jesus walked by and turned their lives completely upside down.

So what about us? What are we doing day in and out that is ordinary, tedious or even boring and are we faithful in it? Jesus said in Luke 16:10, "One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much". 

Faithfulness is what He is looking for. The small thing we are called to do today could open the way for our “suddenly”.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

Be faithful in the usual like Rebecca was. Tomorrow could be that new and different day. You never know!

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Matthew 25:21

Someone is Watching Me

While I was in the bathroom this morning, I realized  there were eyes watching me. They were half hidden under a towel draped over the edge of our Jacuzzi tub. I laughed when I spotted them because I knew where they came from and how they landed there.

Pastor Geoff and Bethany, the Children’s Ministry leaders at church,  gave us “Root Deer” for Christmas; a six pack of IBC root beer in glass bottles dressed up as adorable reindeer with red pom pom noses, plastic googly eyes and brown pipe cleaner antlers. As soon as I set eyes on them (pun intended) I commented to Mike, “Of course these would have to be from someone who spends all their time with kids.” I thought they were too cute to drink. Jonathan didn’t. 

 

Since I rarely buy soda, he was thrilled to discover them in the pantry but refused to drink a bottle until all the add-on parts were removed. I’ve found eyes, noses and antlers everywhere (sorry Bethany), under the Christmas tree, couch cushions, on the floor and patio table, in his room, laundry room and even in the garage. This morning a pair of eyes was in my bathroom, staring at me.

For all the reasons Jon gives me to feel nutty sometimes, he gives me plenty more to smile. As I did my morning routine in the mirror and saw those googly eyes looking at me from the rear view, a verse downloaded into my thoughts from 2 Chronicles 16:9, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."

As a child, I was told God was always watching me, which was usually implied as a negative. He was waiting for me to do something wrong and keeping score; like Santa, making a list and checking it twice, keeping track of who’s naughty and nice. 

Over the years of reading scripture and growing in knowledge and love for God, I’ve come to understand that, like any loving parent, He watches me because I am His child and He cares about my good. Does He see when I mess up? Yes, of course, but God is my Redeemer and His ultimate intention is to show Himself strong on my behalf and bring me back to a place of wholeness, health and stability. His strength plays out in my life in many ways: comfort, peace, love, grace, mercy, safety, instruction, guidance and correction, but always in what is best for me.

I’ve come to realize that life without God’s direction and care is not much of a life at all. As my heart remains loyal to Him, I can rest in the awareness that the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, has His eyes on me! I don’t know if they are googly eyes or not. I’m just glad He’s always looking out for my good.

Psalm 33:8 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.

I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.