Joe's Table: A Place Where Disabilities Become GiftsSample

Because Joseph struggled to control his emotions, the sudden ups and downs of his hormones in puberty had an enormous impact on him. This period exhausted both Joseph and us. One day, Joseph was attacked in a washroom. This incident magnified my worry for Joseph. How on the earth will Joseph survive and protect himself in this tough reality? God only stood by, silent, no matter how much I prayed. The thought that I couldn’t do anything for Joseph as a parent paralyzed me. All I could do was grit my teeth. I kept repeating to myself, “God is love. God is good. He uses the weak to do things in a mighty way. Therefore, there must be a special purpose for Joseph too.”

During puberty, children have a hard time dealing with their emotions. Because of this, many parents become angry with them for their impulsive behavior. Sometimes, they think they must correct their children immediately by scolding and lecturing them. However, when Peter disciplined him, Joseph became more and more anxious. The worst arguments of my married life happened in those days. It wasn’t until much later that we came to understand the basic principles of parenting. Parents should be strict in disciplin­ing their young children but exercise patience and acceptance during puberty.

All I could do in those days was to keep praying and ask­ing God, “Lord, what should I do?” 

In response, he spoke to me calmly in silence. He told me to have a gentle love that gives hope while also bearing and enduring all things. The most effective way to bring about change in people was patience and unconditional love. One day, unable to control his temper, Joseph grabbed my hair, and I fell to the marble floor. Suddenly, I was a mother who had just been thrown onto the floor by her own son. In the midst of the pain and worry that accompanied this scene, something made me happy. It seemed that Joseph felt real remorse toward me for the first time in his life. I could see him feeling sorry for what had happened. Looking at Joseph, who now had the ability to feel remorse, I found a reason to hope. Gradually, just as I had hoped, Joseph’s brash behavior began to disappear. I’m not saying these years of waiting were easy. But I have firsthand experience at seeing how a parent’s faith in a child can bring about positive change.

God, you are the one whom my soul longs for. Thank you for loving me even when I don’t deserve it. You love me more than I can begin to imagine. Give me patience as you have patience. And give me love as you love. Amen.