The glory of it all

This weekend at work I had the cutest group. A new visitor - 6 years old, although she looks like she's three, with the smallest little wheelchair who can walk with some help holding your hand. She has such a sweet and gentle nature - she never cried or fussed even once. And then another young girl whom I've had before. This little one has a seizure disorder. She has several a day lasting anywhere from 5 to 20 seconds. She may fall quick to the floor, but a few seconds later she has the biggest grin as if nothing had happened. She can be super mischievous & thinks she's being the funniest thing in the world. I can't help but smile when she flashes her mischievous grin, even if she's taking her shoes off for the second time after I just put them on.

The main purpose of Jill's House is to provide a rhythm of respite for families. To give families a chance to rest, to sleep, for parents to go on a date, to go grocery shopping, whatever it might be that they aren't able to do as easily with their child who takes some extra care.

On Sunday afternoons when the parents come to pick up their child - we get to take the children that we cared for out to their parents. When I took Ms. Mischievous out, her mom greeted me with the biggest, warmest smile - "Thank you! Thank you so much! You know, I didn't know it at the time when I signed her up for this weekend 3 months ago - but you being able to care for her allowed me and her sister to spend time in the hospital taking care of my mom. I didn't have to worry about who would care for her. I just really thank the Lord for you."

Wow. And I thank the Lord that a place like Jill's House exists and that I've had the opportunity to work with each kid that's been put in my care & that I'll never be the same.

Oh, the glory of it all
Is He came here
For the rescue of us all 
That we may live
For the glory of it all
Oh, the glory of it all

After nightComes a lightDawn is hereDawn is hereIt’s a new day, a new dayOh, everything will changeThings will never be the sameWe will never be the same

God's love

Your love never fails, never gives upNever runs out on me
Higher than the mountains that I faceStronger than the power of the graveConstant through the trial and the changeOne thing remains
On and on and on and on it goesIt overwhelms and satisfies my soulAnd I never, ever, have to be afraidOne thing remains
In death, in life, I'm confident and covered by the power if Your great loveMy debt is paid, there's nothing that canseparate my heart from Your great love
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul

Last night at work, after the children placed in our care had all been put to bed, all the staff were hanging out in the staff area talking.  One of the guys mentioned how his brother could never work there because "he wouldn't want to change diapers."

I don't want to change diapers. Really. I don't particularly look forward to changing a 16 year old boys diaper. But he can't, someone has to, & I can. I can for a weeknight or a weekend and give the caregivers who do it all the time a break.

A friend last night mentioned how amazing it is - the things people do, that anyone can do - but people do it for the Lord. That's why they do it. Because God loves them, his love overwhelms & satisfies their souls, so they love Him and they love & serve him by loving and serving others.