Impossible?

Matthew 15:30-31 (NIV)

30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

I found this story about seven-year-old Annie Clark? She goes to Wilson Christian Academy. She won a penmanship contest ... and $1,000. The award is especially meaningful since Clark was born without hands. She writes by moving the pencil with her forearms.

Pretty impressive, don't you think?

Well, this story isn't about Annie Clark. Yes, she is special, but the real special folks who touched me are her parents: Tom and Mary Ellen.

The couple has nine children: three biological kids and six who were adopted from China, including Annie. She is one of the four adoptees who have special needs, which affect their hands and arms.

Mary Ellen said, "Each time, we weren't looking to adopt a special-needs child, but that is what happened. This was the family God wanted for us."

Tom said, Annie is "an amazing little girl. It's a shame because society places so many rules on how people should look, but the minds of these kids are phenomenal."

Truly, little Annie is special; but her parents are more special.

Here is a couple whose love of the Lord is so big they find it a blessing to welcome into their family children who have been avoided and shunned by others. Then, having done what others might think is extraordinary; they show the Savior's love by teaching those children that God will do great and wonderful things for and with them.

These are the kind of people who remind me that the Lord Jesus can do great things if we let Him work in us and through us.

After all if the Lord can help Annie Clark win a penmanship contest, what can't He do with all of us?

Dear Lord, thank You for specializing in doing what we humans consider to be impossible. We ask that You to grant us the grace to set our limitations to the side and be empowered to do something special through You today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.