Chair

The beautiful Windsor chair sat empty in the dining hall and in the chapel and in other various areas of the campus as a reminder of God, the unseen guest, whose presence abides and who oversees the community and all of its citizens. I received an invitation to attend a private tour and lunch following at the Brookwood Community by Stephanie, who has a son who has been blessed greatly by the endeavors of this private facility. I had not ever seen the campus, knew little of its origin but had been a recipient and giver of some of their beautiful handmade creations.
It was a well attended annual event, just over 150, glad to be included guests, who all knew the family and were blessed to be the recipients of a graciously hosted, heart warming display of a loving and work oriented environment. Many of this crew returned each year saying that the love, acceptance and generated worth of these precious ones really sets the true backdrop of a Christ centered mindset during the Christmas season.

For this is everyday living Christ's way. We congregated in the main welcoming area and from there were taken down the corridors to the resident quarters, the unbelievable swimming and water landmark, the chapel, and then following to the actual areas where the handiwork was done. The citizens were happy, occupied, busy, and engaged in fellowship with one another. One story followed another of the generous donations that have been made and the varied handicapped conditions that have been complimented by generating a Godly spiritual awareness and purpose for all those who participate, live, work, and are actively engaged in community activity. The spirit of the Lord has been invited, included, and ingrained into the very lives who set foot on this campus, and it is a true blessing to see this first hand.

I called Brookwood this morning to verify the numbers that they served for lunch yesterday. Troy answered and after giving me my information I asked him how do you all feel about visitors? In a most enthusiastic response he stated: " We love it when people come to visit because we can showcase Brookwood and all its Glory." These residents are proud of where they live, where they work and the accomplishments that they make daily to a well oiled machine of production. But even more than that they have been given a place to shine, and friends who shine with them.

Vivian Shudde, the Executive Director said yesterday on our tour, the world is constantly trying to shove square pegs in round holes, and no matter how hard you shove, they just don't fit....and at Brookwood, it is a square campus where everyone fits. It is their heartfelt position to help those who are struggling with a handicapped condition and help them to find their worth, and to establish their significance. For everyone of God's children are worthy and loved and covered in his grace. And quite frankly, we are all handicapped, and are in need of the very same things that these folks at Brookwood need. There may be differing degrees, but none of us are exempt for the need of God's grace. At Brookwood, they are making a difference in applying that truth.

At lunch we were blessed with the handbell choir or some of the residents, and oh the pride on the faces of those who played the bells was sparkling. I wish I had a copy of Stephanie's talk from the podium at lunch. It was honest, filled with clarity and appreciation for her family, with a special introduction to Frank, her son, and a sincere tribute to her husband Brad, who was there and his steadfast partnership with her to help give Frank the best opportunity to serve and give and have the best and be his best. She gracefully and fully commended the staff and community that had given her son Frank, a good looking, happy countenanced young man, a foundation to use the gifts that God had given him, in spite of his limited
abilities.

The setting was one that did bring all who were present a sense of what life is really about. Especially here at Christmas time when we tend to get to saturated with the stuff and the busyness instead of the simple truths of living life God's way.

If you have not been out to Brookwood, it is an amazing facility that truly represents a Christ centered environment. They see "every individual as a unique creation of a wise and loving God, deserving not only of our abiding patience and respect, but of boundless awe. They cherish diversity in all forms and eschew narrow-minded notions of normality".

This is a community that is dependent on that code above. Oh but aren't we, as an outside community, if truly under the truths of God, called to respond in the same way to others whose paths we cross. Treat them with patience and respect, for we don't know the handicaps that are within them or around them, nor are we willing to have ours exposed. Within each of us are gifts that God has given to be used for his purposes, and his glory. If only we explore the possibilities through God and with God and for God, we too can stand on the blessings that come flowing from them. And we too can showcase God's glory through what he is doing and has done through us.

1 Corinthians 12:4
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them

The chair was a reminder of God the unseen guest and overseerer. I hope that God will help that visual to rest in my heart and on my mind as I go about the business of living under the watchful eyes of my Lord.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the opportunity to see Brookwood and meet many of the citizens who reside, work, and support the community.
Help me to use what I witnessed as a backdrop and reminder of what is important and what is not. Amen

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Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!