Life's Challenges

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” 2 Samuel 9:7-8

In 2 Samuel 9, David wanted to show honor to any living relative of Jonathan, whom was from the House of Saul. When it was discovered that the son of Jonathan had crippled feet from a fall when he was 5, David showed love and compassion to Mephibosheth. Although Mephibostheth felt unworthy, for he saw himself as a “dead dog”. A physical challenge does not need to define a person’s human worth. Having been a Special Education teacher for 29 years, I see not only how society can label people as “handicapped” and not having much worth. Not only can society label the person, but the person can also have the same mindset and think that they are less. According to God’s standard, they are equal to everyone else. They may have a physical challenge but it doesn’t mean that they are less of a person. It bothers me when people use the word “handicapped”. When I was at the University of Hawaii,  I found the basis of the word handicapped. It came from beggars that had physical challenges that would sit in public, using their caps as a way to collect money. There fore the cap in their hands begging is the basis for the word handicapped. That word is not acceptable when people have physical or emotional challenges in their life. Just as David saw Mephibosheth as being able, we should do the same. Even Mephibosheth saw himself as not being worthy but in God’s Kingdom, but we know that we are ALL Worthy!!
Question: What are your personal values when it comes to people with physical or mental challenges? How has this blog given you a different perspective?