Years ago, I was Blessed to hear David Ring open his message in our church with these words. I couldn’t control myself. I laughingly said, “Oh yeah!” I knew exactly the meaning behind his question. “David Ring is a Christian evangelist and motivational speaker who has cerebral palsy. David Ring has, since 1973, challenged thousands of people with his signature message.” As I look back, I recognize how Blessed I have been to be taught by hundreds of men & women with developmental disabilities. I call this process God School. These Professors of the Heart, shaped how I think & how I respond. Some of the unique Principles they taught are:

• “Stuff” has no value.
• The Joy of “Today.”
• The “Joy” of giving.
• Focus on your strengths.
• There are no problems, just opportunities that need fresh solutions.
• Relationships matter.
• Don’t let others determine your value.
• An attitude of, “I Can!”
• The Power of “Doing.”
• At the Heart of it all is the Heart.

I was the Director of Employment Services for 14 years for a local service provider. We provided Supported Employment Services for men & women desiring employment in the community. We also had a workshop where we used paid work to teach works skills. One summer a friend came to me asking if some of his young folks could volunteer and learn what work was about. His “young folks” were teenagers from the streets…in danger of becoming gang members.

I will never forget the late afternoon when all the clients & staff went home, and the 5 young people waited outside my office. I said, “I thought y’all were gone. Can I help you?” They had stayed late to ask me, “Why are they happy?” BAM! The folks in wheelchairs…folks with low IQ scores…folks that had nothing the world said was required to be happy had touched their hearts like nothing or no one could. They learned that day, “Stuff has no value!” Stuff will not bring you Joy. Who really had the disability? Not the clients in wheelchairs, no. It was the young people who had allowed the world’s lie to convince them more “stuff” will bring you more happiness.

Do you remember the story of the rich young man found in Matthew 19:16? “Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” It’s the same question these young people had that afternoon. Now listen to how Jesus responded. ““Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

Now listen to the “Power” verse found in Matt 19:26, “Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” So, “what’s your problem?”