What Is In A Life

I know this has been a subject of my blog before, but this is one time I feel I must speak out even though I don’t know the people involved. There was a post on Facebook concerning a young man who is in a wheelchair due to a medical condition. At a recent school choir concert this young man wheeled himself to the end of the risers where the choir he was a part of would be performing. The director got up and began the music selections while leaving this young man sitting at the end of the risers without acknowledgement or assistance to get up by the other music group members. The picture of him sitting by himself speaks volumes.
I have no idea what was going through the director’s mind during this time. I really don’t want to judge, but the perception of this cannot be mistaken. The young man seemed to be completely ignored by everyone involved, fellow students and the director. Why? We don’t know, but it is all too easy to think it was due to his disability. No statement about the situation has been made by the school district that I know of at this writing. The reaction on Facebook has been quick and fury at the actions of the director is pretty unanimous.
I am thankful that while I was growing up those around me saw me as just another person for the most part. Yes, I took a lot of stuff about my size with being short and always having a battle with my weight along with other things. Some days were far from easy and tears were shed. I am thankful in my day I could come home and pretty much get away from the teasing and stuff. Today it is worse with the “cyber” ways of keeping the attacks going at all times….Facebook, Twitter, texting, and other things make it extremely difficult to find a place of sanctuary. We all need our place to have quiet and kind of escape from the world. The things said seem to be meaner and really more personal.
The Bible tells us in numerous places we are all creations of God, His Handiwork. It doesn’t matter our size, whether we have physical or mental challenges, or whatever it happens to be. The fact remains He made us the way we are and we should all be treated like we are worth something. Teasing once in awhile isn’t wrong when done in love and in knowing it is joking. It is when it is mean spirited and meant to hurt it becomes wrong. We all have things we have to face in life, even those who seem to have what most would consider a “perfect” situation. Rather than putting labels on people or judging let us try and include them as much as possible. Try to understand them rather than separating from them. God does have a plan as He promises. Remember to be kind to those around you. You never know how those around you might impact your life so be open to those lessons.