Gò0dNews for Everyone
National Disability Day by Chad Van De Griek
I
t was late November and I get a text from my Senior
that I wanted to discuss today, I found myself continuing
Pastor asking if I would be willing to write something
to come back to a very simple, yet foundational idea. “But
for our church. I was asked to write something for
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
National Disability Day and share some thoughts and
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such
feelings revolving around living with a disability and how
things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV).
the church plays a role in that. After reaching out to others
When encountering people with various types of
with disabilities, family members of those with disabilities,
disabilities, I think that it is absolutely paramount to
and internally processing, I realized that this was a lot more
make sure that we keep the basic principles found in
difficult to put to technological paper than I had initially
these two verses at the forefront of our minds and hearts. We need to have patience as we strive to view situations from the perspective of those who have different abilities than we do. We need to have love, kindness, and goodness as we remember that those with disabilities and their families are more than simply an opportunity to serve—they are a needed and valued part of our congregation. And we need to have gentleness as we understand that there are people in our churches that are living with disabilities that are not easily seen on the surface. My hope is that, as a Church, we remember that each human being that we interact with is made in the Image of God, and their ability
thought. But, after finally getting everything written down, I
level doesn’t change that. Speaking for myself, having
was incredibly proud of the final product. I wanted to share
a disability can sometimes leave me feeling extremely
that final product today!
isolated, but I believe that is where the Body of Christ
National Disability Day is an awesome opportunity to
can step in and show a deep, genuine love for who I am
engage in conversations that revolve around living with
holistically. I have a disability, and that shouldn’t be
various types of disabilities. I wanted to take some time,
overlooked, but I am also much more than that and have
as a Church, to do just that. Of course, I can’t speak for
so much to offer. My prayer is that we are a community
everyone who has a disability, but I did want to share a
of believers that is able and willing to be gracious, kind,
few thoughts and experiences as a means to encourage and
patient, and gentle, even if that means having to make
challenge all of us.
accommodations or adjustments. Because, honestly, that is
There are a lot of incredibly valid thoughts and ideas
what love does. That is what Jesus does.
However, as I began to think and talk through everything
32 // February 2022
About The Author
that I could bring up in a conversation like this one. Chad Van De Griek lives in Nashville, TN! He loves Jesus, hockey (Go Preds), and is a big Bible nerd. Chad was born with Cerebral Palsy and is very passionate about using his writing as a way to show God’s love to everyone! You can find more of his writing at chadvandegriek.wordpress.com.
