{"id":651,"date":"2013-11-06T21:32:36","date_gmt":"2013-11-07T02:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cindiferrini.com\/?p=651"},"modified":"2013-11-06T21:32:36","modified_gmt":"2013-11-07T02:32:36","slug":"walk-a-mile-in-their-shoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cindiferrini.com\/index.php\/2013\/11\/06\/walk-a-mile-in-their-shoes\/","title":{"rendered":"Walk a Mile in Their Shoes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Previously posted\/newly updated for THIS our new website\/blog!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Reading Time @ 3 minutes.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Perhaps you, like I, have missed the opportunity to show compassion or love to someone simply because they have special needs and we don\u2019t know and don\u2019t seek a way to connect with them. Perhaps we have no idea how to engage in conversation with them or their caregivers \u2013 no idea how to, well, walk a mile in their shoes!<\/strong><\/p>\n

When our son was a few years old, my husband was finally able to express his fear and disappointments regarding the handicaps and challenges that were a part of our every day existence and of concern to us and our sons\u2019 care. It wasn\u2019t easy for him to share his heart, but did so through tears, only to hear the cutting words of the listener, \u201cI thought you were tougher than that.\u201d That was the last time he shared anything about our son with that person, and for that matter, with few others for many years.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If we truly walked a mile in other peoples\u2019 shoes, we\u2019d quickly understand what they have to deal with. We\u2019d become aware of the hot button issues that tick them off, and we\u2019d become sensitive to what makes them tick. We wouldn\u2019t have all the answers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We wished we could have had people to talk to when our son was small.\u00a0 The people we reached out to were probably not equipped to mentor or help us. For that reason, we desire to mentor couples with young children, to listen to their challenges, to cry with them, and to encourage them.\u00a0 Sometimes listening to their struggles is difficult because we relive in our minds the complexities of our early years; however, the positive outcome is that with the help of the Lord in our lives, we make it; and in turn we can give them help and encouragement to make it too.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every time we feel as if we want to quit, we remember that we are called to this purpose and that God did not make a mistake. Maybe we can help others who have a similar life situation as we do but who are a few steps behind us in their journey, or perhaps we can simply be one who\u2019ll provide a listening ear if we are not in the same life situation. We just need to be willing. Willing to extend the love and compassion that person needs for the moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Ask yourself:<\/strong><\/p>\n