Humbleness is Learned

About 10 or more years ago I met a boy named Jordan. He rolled into my Sunday school class in a wheel chair being pushed by his younger brother and older sister. I have to admit I was intimidated by the unknown and a bit scared in my childish immaturity. Regretfully, I never got to know Jordan very well because I kept my distance from this boy in the wheelchair. I never in a million years expected that years down the road God would bring us together as siblings.

Seven years ago my mother began to date a man named rob Roberts, who two years after that became my step-dad. When he joined our family he brought with him his three children who I love dearly, in that bunch is Jordan Roberts, the boy in the wheelchair I had known so many years before. In the few years I have know Jordan he has become one of my best friends, daily teaching me humility and to be thankful for all the many blessings in my life.

In getting to know Jordan I learned that he has Cerebral Palsy, impairing his motor skills and some brain function. Although the task of walking is a rough and challenging one for Jordan, he does is with a smile on his face. He is thankful for every little thing in life and often shows excitement and appreciation for things that the rest of us might over look in our daily lives. He loves everything and everyone and sees the good in all situations. He loves to sing, play his guitar, and play and watch sports. He has overcome many challenges in his life, even proving doctors wrong by walking and doing other physical activities, which were said to be out of reach when he was first diagnosed.

The other night at my parent's house my mom called me back to Jordan's room. In his lap in front of his TV sat my daughter, as happy as any child could be. Jordan had a look of satisfaction and accomplishment on his face as he exclaimed, "She's smiling at me!" I teared up as I thought about all of the things that this young man has accomplished in his life and the place he is today. Peyton sat there for a few minutes and eventually became restless and tired. I loaded her up in her car seat then went back to Jordy's room to tell him goodbye. He immediately asked me if I had Peyton (always worried about every one's safety and whereabouts) and then he held out his hand and said, "Thank you for letting me hold Peyton". He was so thankful for that small task and I've been told that's all he's been talking about since. I can't wait for my little girl to grow up and get to know this amazing person and I hope she can learn as much as I have from him about thankfulness and humility.