I'm Special




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" December 11, 2003 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. All new subscribers will receive a free downloadable copy of the e-cookbook, "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." New subscribers will also be entered into a drawing for a gift basket. Include the name of the person referring you in the email, and they will be entered also. The winner will be announced in the December 16 issue. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to: subscribe@write2theheart.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ When you work with children, you can always count on surprises. Ken shares a moment he witnessed when a young man realized he was special. ------------------------------------------------------------ I'm Special By Ken Pierpont ------------------------------------------------------------ Gideon is a little fellow in my church who is afflicted with Downs Syndrome. The first time I met him I reached out to shake his hand and he looked a little frightened or confused. He hid his face in his mother's lap. Eventually he got used to me and within a few weeks he would put out his hand the moment he saw me coming. A couple of years ago he was involved in the Christmas program. During the program the introduction began to play and the children walked to the front dressed as Christmas packages. Each child waddled up the aisle and climbed the steps to the platform with their legs and arms sticking out of a box wrapped in Christmas paper. A bow sat on the top of each child's head. They were well rehearsed and sang beautifully. The last song was a Little number I think titled "I'm Special" At the end of the song the children were coached to shout out all together; "I'm special." The song ended and all on cue the children shouted; "I'm special" and the song ended. The crowd laughed and applauded. The children were then to file off the platform and make their way back the aisle to sit with their parents for the rest of the program. Things quieted for a moment as the children started to leave the platform. In the quietness of the moment Gideon looked out at the people, a big smile lit his face, and with a clear voice that carried all over the auditorium he shouted; "I'm special." There was a smattering of laughter across the crowd. Another second or two of silence followed and then Gideon said it again loudly and clear: "I'm special." It was if he expected a reply. His teacher helped him off the platform. The crowd grew thoughtful and quiet. Halfway down the aisle he said it again and then again as his mother gathered him into her arms. She warmly said, "yes you are Gideon, you are special." It was the line Gideon repeated over and over that still lives in the hearts of everyone who was there that night. We didn't think to choose little Gideon for the lead part in the Christmas program, but God had other plans. Little Gideon was named after a man who was used of God to deliver Israel during difficult times. When God chose Gideon to be one of the judges Gideon was cowering for fear, but God called him a mighty man of valor. God is like that. He chooses and uses people we tend to overlook. He inspires unlikely people to accomplish extraordinary things. Come to think of it that is what He did the night Jesus was born. Ken Pierpont kpierpont @ characterinns.org You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Ken Pierpont is a speaker and a writer and the director the Riverfront Character Inn and International Conference Center in Flint, Michigan. He and his wife Lois have eight children. He publishes a free weekly newsletter called the Stonebridge Newsletter. You can read his writing and enjoy pictures of his family at www.kenpierpont.com -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- I loved the descriptive details of the store at Christmas time, Shirley Ann Cox used in her story A Priceless Gift. It took me back to cherished memories of Christmas long ago, for me. I also might add, no matter how many times we hear the message "beauty is only skin deep" we still seem to look on the surface, too often. Thanks for your reminder, Shirley. Diane Dean White's pointers, "To Make the Season Bright" can give one a brighter insight to making the holiday a special and unique one. Thanks, Diane! Annettee Budzban --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Thaddeaus Howard Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Jonathan P. Wells Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner David's foot started bothering him again. He thought he would go to the doctor before it became too swollen and painful like it did a few weeks ago. He emailed me to send him our family doctors office phone number. I decided that it was a perfect time to update my address box by my computer while I was looking up the number for him. When I finished copying down all the important numbers, I emailed the number to him. He emailed me back later that day to tell me he had called and the doctor could work him in next week. Then he asked, "Could you please explain to me why I need to see a gynecologist for my foot?" God Bless, Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2003 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.