It is an annual luncheon that is hosted by Stephanie and Brad Tucker for the benefit of the Brookwood Community. But as I was sitting at a corner table and looked out around the room I realized once again that this event is not just to benefit the Brookwood group but it benefits each and every person who is seated at the tables. The room was full of family and friends that the Tuckers have loved and crossed paths with along their lives, and who have loved them right back. They have three sons, Sam, Frank and Ben, and their middle son Frank is their reason for their involvement in Brookwood. He is now 24 and is a special needs child who gets to be one of the 80 day members of the community. Each day dad takes him to the bus and Frank and about 40 other community friends are taken to Brookwood then returning each afternoon.
I still cannot begin to comprehend the responsibility and care that is required for a special needs child. And I have such great respect and appreciation for those moms and dads who hurdle the many obstacles that comes with such great responsibility. They sacrifice what may seem to be a normal life for many of us for the care and attention that it must take to provide for and balance family needs on all fronts.
As I sat and listened to Stephanie's welcome remarks filled with humor, appreciation for friends, the staff at Brookwood and her honorable salute to her parents (with Frank standing by her side making practiced gestures of the words "longhorn", "love" baby" etc,) I couldn't help but rewind and go back to where this whole journey of theirs began 24 years ago. When Frank was born they knew they were going to have to roll up their sleeves and this was going to be a hard and difficult path to negotiate, not just for the baby as a special needs child, but for the whole family balance.
There were sacrifices to be made at every juncture with every family member. The myriad of surgeries, doctors, pastors, counselors, prayerful exchanges with God, challenges, hurdles, appointments, chauffeuring, and roller coaster emotions had to be a head spinning, knee jerking, nail biting experience but to know each of these two, they remained cool, consistent, confident and they carried on with poise and grace, God's grace. They have done a most wonderful job as parents and being witnesses of God's love and His continued direction and provision.
Brad and I were childhood friends and still can pick up right where we left off no matter how often we see each other. After the luncheon we had some time to catch up as people were leaving. One comment that Brad said has stuck in his head is a quote from one of Dave McKechnie's sermons that said: in life there are going to be trials, and they are gonna be some tough ones, and you have two choices, either let them make you bitter or let them make you better. With tears in my eyes, I said the choices that you and Stephanie have made have not only made you better, and Frank better and I am sure have help to mold the characters of your other two sons, but your impact on this community and your friends and family is a reflection of what God can and will do through those trials. For God is always present and hears the ones who trust him, love him and seek his way through a forest of inadequacies, insecurities and weak kneed experiences. And we all have had a taste of those, some more than others, and some might be in the middle of one now. God remains constant and present when the storms of decision are raging, and when counted on, calms our hearts and gives us a peace that passes understanding.
Christmas time is often a season that we get so busy that we lose sight of true, valid and worthy priorities and our focus is shifted from the reason for the season to challenge of the season. To be at this luncheon and seeing these precious special need community members giving the best of what they have to give, whether it is crafting, or playing bells, helping whenever they can with whatever they can and finding purpose in their lives is a blessing to behold. We so many times lose sight of the many blessings that we have right before us because we are so distracted by the worlds' offerings. Stopping points like this event are reminders that God's simple blessings of love and friendship, and helping hands are gifts that he gives in abundance and we so often overstep them in our hurried approach to get our next task accomplished.
Brad made a comment that he is "just crossing the stage", meaning life is short, and we have a choice each day to make it a day that counts, and then he added; we are so blessed. (James 4:14 What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.) Trials, and life adversities do give us a different perspective on what is important and what is not. And everyday that we get through something hard, is just one more day that God has had his hand upon us. Blessed are we who know God and seek his way. From the day Frank was born, there was no hiding him, he is an active part of his family, is never left behind and is a proud reminder that it is God who makes us better when we depend on him to give us strength and direction through trials, however big or small. Twenty four years ago, they made a choice, and still today that choice continues to impact so many. I am thankful that I am one of them. May God bless this family and keep his hand upon them and also bless the Brookwood Community.
Dear Lord, thank you for the "stop" signs during this Christmas season. May we keep you at the focus of this season and remember that Thanksgiving is not merely a holiday before Christmas but a simple way to honor you with each given day.
Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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