Nothing Goes to Waste

I have had the good fortune of connecting with many wonderful bloggers who care deeply about the inclusion of people with disabilities. I am always honored to write guest posts for and collaborate with these amazing advocates. So I jumped when such an opportunity came from Snappin' Ministries. I have said often that to be truly inclusive we must model it in all aspects of our lives. And so I think it is wonderfully significant that a Christian ministry, dedicated to supporting people with disabilities, eagerly shared a teaching from a Jewish educator. We need more of this in our world. 
 

“But Moses said to God, ‘Please, God, I have never been a man of words, either in times past or now; I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.’ And God said to Moses, ‘Who gives man speech? Who makes him dumb or deaf, seeing or blind?  Is it not I, the Eternal?’”
(Exodus 4:10-11)

It might have been easy for God to say, “You know what, Moses, you’re right. I am asking too much of you.” 

It might have been easy for God to say, “You know what, Moses, give it a shot and if it’s too hard, we’ll find someone else.”

It might have been easy for God to say, “OK, Moses, your brother, Aaron can do it.” (Instead)

It might have been easy for God to underestimate Moses’ abilities, but he didn’t. God believed in Moses and reassured him by reminding him that God’s choices are perfect. In fact, God designated Aaron to speak for Moses when he was unable, as his aide, and thus demonstrated the first formal act of true inclusion seen in the Bible.

Too often we underestimate others abilities. Too often we fail to presume competence.

Haven’t you done it? Given in too easily when someone in our care complains that what we are asking is just too much? How often is it easier to just let a sibling complete the task? How many times have we given up due to our own frustrations? How often have we neglected to even ask?

Inclusion is a mindset. It is a way of thinking. It is not a program that we run or a classroom in our school or a favor we do for someone. Inclusion is who we are. It is who we must strive to be.

To be inclusive we must presume competence. To be inclusive we must recognize each person’s right to belong. To be inclusive we must recognize the gift that each and every person brings to the world. 

Read: The Cracked Pot

The moral of the story: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. In this world, nothing goes to waste. Each and every perceived flaw is truly a blessing in disguise. 

Never miss a post from Removing the Stumbling Block: