Being Handicapped is Only a State of Mind + Bonus Story

“Kinza,” my two year old brother asked, “will you read a book to me?”
“Sure,” I said and went to one of our many bookshelves to look for a book that I hadn’t already read to him 47 times. Scanning the books I grabbed one titled “Fanny”. I remembered the book from my childhood, but couldn’t have told anyone what it was actually about. Close to the bottom of the front cover was a sentence that read,
“Being handicapped is only a state of mind.”
The more I think about that now, the more I like it, and realize how true it is.
Opening the book, I started reading to my little brother. He enjoyed the story and pictures about the three-legged cat named Fanny. The further I got into the story, though, the more I realized that I actually needed to read this book about the three-legged cat. In the story, the other farm animals don’t talk to Fanny at all; they feel that because of her handicap, she will be embarrassed and awkward, and since she’s different, she certainly wouldn’t have much to say.

In reading the book, I realized how I can be so much like the other animals on the farm. When I see someone who is handicapped or even just a little different, odd, or not up on the latest, I am tempted to judge them by their exterior, and think that I can’t talk to them, as it would be awkward, and we would have nothing in common, and they surely can’t have much to say. Jesus was not like that. As it says in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female- for all of you are one in Jesus Christ.” We can also look at Jesus’ life as portrayed in the Bible. He certainly showed love to everyone- rich, poor, Christians, sinners, and everyone in between.
In the end of the book, a little puppy befriends Fanny and they become inseparable. Through this relationship, the other animals see that they, too, can be friends with Fanny, as it’s not awkward talking to her, and she has things to say: an entire heart full of things she had always wanted to say.
Stop and keep your eyes and ears open for those around you whose voices are never heard. Sometimes the most unpromising-looking people are the ones who have the most to say. Many of them may have an entire heart full of things they’ve always wanted to say.

Bonus: Sequel to last week’s post!

Last week we decided that we wanted to to go canoeing and kayaking at a reservoir close to our church after the service was over. We got food ready for a picnic and strapped our canoe and kayak onto the back of dad’s truck, ready for a party! I started out, driving the truck to church, but when I was right in the middle of town I happened to glance in my side view mirror and saw a strap fly and the canoe disappear.

“What the huff,” I said, “This is not what I need on the way to church!”

So, my younger sister and brother and I climbed out of the truck to inspect the situation. Immediately I did what every girls does first and called my dad!

“Hey, I lost the canoe in the middle of town!”

“Shoot,” he said, “well, I’ll be right there.

So, although he was almost to church he turned around and came back to help me.

Before he made it to where I was, though, two creepy guys stopped and asked if they could be of any help. When I say creepy I mean it, too! We’re talking pistol strapped to belt and the whole nine yards!

“Well,” I said, “My canoe kinda fell off the truck and there’s not much I can do. “My dad should be here soon, though.

“We’ll help you out at least by getting the canoe onto the truck,” they said.

So, up went the canoe and then one of the guys remembered he had a strap in his truck and he got it and strapped the canoe tight! I thanked them as they quickly left, wishing I could do more. I mean, they actually gave us their strap!

God definitely watches out for us, even in the little things! You know what, this actually kind of fits into what I wrote earlier about not judging people by their exterior. Some of the most creepy looking people turn out to be the most generous, kindhearted and helpful!

Written by Kinza