I have a dream…
that every child
regardless of ability or disability
will be welcomed
and will find a place to belong
at their neighborhood Bible-teaching Church.
I have a dream
that every child who can’t walk smoothly
will have a friend to lean on
or to push his wheelchair
so he can enter fully into the life of his church family.
I have a dream
that every child who can’t reach out her hand
will have a hand reached out to her
so she’ll know she’s accepted in the body of Christ.
I have a dream
that every child who can’t participate in a full Bible lesson
will have a lesson designed for him,
a lesson he can fully enjoy.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot speak
will be spoken to
and will be included in conversation
and in other children’s play.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot hear with her ears
will be taught stories and songs
in a language she can hear.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot sing
will enjoy the sound of others’ singing
and will praise God in his own way.
I have a dream
that every child whose hands cannot clap
will have friends who clap with her
and for her.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot run
will play games with his friends
and will have friends who cheer what he can do.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot cooperate or pay attention
will be loved and cherished
no matter what.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot see the pictures of the Bible story
will see very clearly that Jesus loves her
because she has been shown love by those who love Him.
I have a dream
that every child who doesn’t learn in the typical way
will learn about Jesus and His love for her.
I have a dream
that every child who doesn’t move in the typical way
will move into full belonging in the family of God.
I have a dream
that every child who doesn’t grow in the typical way
will grow in his or her relationship with Jesus Christ.
I have a dream
that every child
no matter how intelligent or delayed
oppositional or compliant
athletic or motor-challenged
healthy or frail
will know Jesus loves him or her
and that He died for him
for her.
I have a dream
that everyone in the community outside the church
will know they too will be welcomed
and accepted
in their local church family
because they have seen the church obey Christ’s command
to love and accept
all those who are
“the least of these”.
I have a dream...
I have a dream.
© Laureen F. Guenther, 2006
that every child
regardless of ability or disability
will be welcomed
and will find a place to belong
at their neighborhood Bible-teaching Church.
I have a dream
that every child who can’t walk smoothly
will have a friend to lean on
or to push his wheelchair
so he can enter fully into the life of his church family.
I have a dream
that every child who can’t reach out her hand
will have a hand reached out to her
so she’ll know she’s accepted in the body of Christ.
I have a dream
that every child who can’t participate in a full Bible lesson
will have a lesson designed for him,
a lesson he can fully enjoy.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot speak
will be spoken to
and will be included in conversation
and in other children’s play.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot hear with her ears
will be taught stories and songs
in a language she can hear.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot sing
will enjoy the sound of others’ singing
and will praise God in his own way.
I have a dream
that every child whose hands cannot clap
will have friends who clap with her
and for her.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot run
will play games with his friends
and will have friends who cheer what he can do.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot cooperate or pay attention
will be loved and cherished
no matter what.
I have a dream
that every child who cannot see the pictures of the Bible story
will see very clearly that Jesus loves her
because she has been shown love by those who love Him.
I have a dream
that every child who doesn’t learn in the typical way
will learn about Jesus and His love for her.
I have a dream
that every child who doesn’t move in the typical way
will move into full belonging in the family of God.
I have a dream
that every child who doesn’t grow in the typical way
will grow in his or her relationship with Jesus Christ.
I have a dream
that every child
no matter how intelligent or delayed
oppositional or compliant
athletic or motor-challenged
healthy or frail
will know Jesus loves him or her
and that He died for him
for her.
I have a dream
that everyone in the community outside the church
will know they too will be welcomed
and accepted
in their local church family
because they have seen the church obey Christ’s command
to love and accept
all those who are
“the least of these”.
I have a dream...
I have a dream.
© Laureen F. Guenther, 2006