Five Minute Friday: Dare

Dare to love big. This summer as I embarked on a new leg of my career journey, the Lord prompted me to love big when he expanded my heart beyond the love for my son who has Down syndrome, and even for other individuals with Down syndrome, to encompass a desire for dignity, justice, meaning for all individuals with developmental disabilities when I went to work at All About Developmental Disabilities. 

I have met amazing individuals with a strong spirit who seek inclusion in a world that still wants to exclude them. These people seek employment, desire community, want to be known and most importantly have immense worth. I am so honored to come alongside them and, with my words, help the world know that they matter. To encourage people to fight for inclusion, support and acceptance. I hope you'll join me and dare to stand up, include others and exclude the "R" word from your vocabulary.

Quiet, what's that?

Go.

Quiet. That elusive word. I long for quiet and stillness sometimes but am still thankful for the noise. That little voice waking me before dawn wanting me to go downstairs and get breakfast. That soft dog with a deep bark, rousing me out of bed for food. The voice of my toddler trying so hard to form words. Yes, even the smart tone from my preteen that reminds me how uncool I am. Quiet and stillness is unattainable at this life stage. From the "To Do' lists that run through my head on the way to work to the sounds of a busy office and phones and my fingers on the keys during the day. Someday I will dwell in quiet and will long for the days that were filled with noise. But for now I cherish every 5 minute break as I type with one eye half closed ready to crash into bed.

Stop.