Most women becaome mothers by accident, some by choice, a
     few by social pressure and a couple by habit.

     This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of
     handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of
     handicapped children are chosen?

     Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his
     instuments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As
     He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant
     ledger.

     "Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's
     used to profanity."

     "Forrest, Marjotie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

     "Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

     Finially He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a
     handicapped child."

     The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

     "Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a
     mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

     "But she has patience?" asked the angel.

     "I don't want her to have to much patience or she will drown in
     a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment
     wears off, she'll handle it."

     "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and
     independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You
     see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has
     to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

     "But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles,
     "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just
     enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a
     virtue?"

     God nods. "If she can't seperate herself from the child
     occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom
     I will bless with a child less perfect. She doesn't realize it yet,
     but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a
     'spoken word'". She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When
     her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at
     a miricle, and will know it!"

     "I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance,
     cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will
     never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day
     of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is
     here by My side".

     And what about her Patron saint? asked the angel, his pen
     poised in mid-air.
     God smiles, "A mirror will surfice."

 Back