JULY 5, 2012
My Buddy William
Read: 1
Corinthians 12:18-27
The members should have the same care for one another. —1 Corinthians 12:25
As we got off the bus at a home for mentally and physically
challenged
children in Copse, Jamaica, I didn’t expect to find a football
player. While
the teen choir and the other adult chaperones dispersed to find
kids to hug,
love, and play with, I came upon a young man named William.
I’m not sure what William’s medical diagnosis was, but he looked
like
he probably had cerebral palsy. I had grabbed a football before getting
off the bus, so I tossed it gently to William, who dropped it.
But when I picked it up and put it into his hands, he slowly
manipulated
it until he had it just how he wanted it. Then, leaning back
against a
railing for balance, William tossed a perfect spiral. For the next 45
minutes, we played toss and catch—he tossed, I caught. William laughed
and
laughed—and stole my heart. On that day he had as much impact
on me, I’m sure,
as I did on him. He taught me that we are all needed
as a part of Christ’s
body, the church (1 Cor. 12:20-25).
People often dismiss others who are different from themselves.
But it is
the Williams of the world who teach us that joy can come when we
accept
others and respond in compassion. Is there a William in your world who
needs you to be his buddy?
Lord, help us to see how much we need each other
in our Christian walk. May we show Your love
to others who are different than us. Give us an
open heart to learn. Amen.
We need one another in order to be who God
wants us to be.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
