If you follow my blog, you know that I’ve written about my five-year-old autistic, nonverbal grandson a couple of times over the past few months. Because of those posts, I recently received an invitation to speak at the Moms’ Life Group at our church. The goal of my talk is to give young moms ideas on how to encourage their children to include special needs children in their circle of friends.
Speaking to groups is definitely not in my comfort zone. You may remember that I chose my nursing school because it was the only one in the state that didn’t require me to take Speech in high school. I don’t deny that I probably needed that class more than any other, but at the time… I would have changed my career path rather than enroll in Speech.
It has taken me decades to rein in my fear of public speaking. Even now, it feels as though the horse beneath me still pulls against the bit—thankfully, with less force than before. Maybe one day I’ll be able to give the horse his head and actually enjoy the ride.
I still remember how hard I practiced to conquer my first speaking engagement. I had been coerced into co-teaching six weeks of Lamaze classes. I’d sit cross-legged (when that was still an easy feat) on the living room floor with index cards fanned out in front of me like sunrays. How could this come so easily to some people? I was terrified! Over the years, I’ve settled more comfortably into the saddle with each talk, but my anxious thoughts still raise my heart rate and make my palms sweat. Was it really that important to do this? Maybe reaching outside your comfort zone is overrated, I reasoned.
So why did I immediately tell the Moms’ Life director that I would speak to these young mothers? Only one reason—the subject is deeply personal and important to me. It’s something I can do for Dean, even though I live halfway across the country from my grandson. And even more important than building confidence within myself, I might be making a difference for a special needs child in a classroom right here in Spearfish. If even one mom encourages her child to reach out to a classmate with special needs, my discomfort will be completely worth it. We’ll all win in the end.
When I need a little extra encouragement, I look no further than Hebrews 10:24: “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (NIV)
We all have our fears. I bet yours is worth conquering too—for your sake and for others’.
Until next time… keep on readin’, and I’ll keep on writin’ (right here from my comfort zone).
Marlene
What day will you be speaking?
I know you will be wonderful, God will be with you, he’ll give you words to speak, the ladies will enjoy hearing from you and take application with them after they hear what you have to say. As a sister of a special needs lady, I’m thankful for those who have poured into her life over the years. I’m thankful for those teachers who taught her so much when she was in school and for the kids that played with her on the playground. I’m sure some of it was because we lived in a small town and the school was small and we just seemed to all love each other and get along for the most part. I know one way I show my grandchildren how to interact with kids with special needs when we see them, is to say Hi, make eye contact, compliment them if needed, even talk with their parents or their care providers so both people know that you care and that you exist. Special needs people are created equally in God’s eyes and are loved just the same as us.
a friend
Oh, what a great read today! Thanks, DeLila. It’s important to go out of our comfort zones sometimes for OTHERS because we know it will help them, and it also blesses the Lord, too, by helping us grow, as well as those others. You live out that verse Hebrews 10:24 so well, DeLila, because your actions DO spur many of us on toward love and good deeds to help others. (And you hide your discomfort so well – you seem so relaxed and calm!) ~~ Thank you for reminding us of that verse. It’s a great one to help us remember our purpose in life. Keep on writin’ so that we can keep on readin’ and thinkin’ and bein’ encouraged.