Bethany recently danced a solo at her Dazzler Dance recital. This marked her 12th and final year dancing with this amazing dance production team. Her song choice was- Nothing is Impossible, by Planet Shakers. Bethany could hardly sleep the night before the recital! Before we prayed, she said, “Mom, God must have had me choose this song. You know why? Because it’s true! Mom, God helps me do it all!
[Tweet “Our strength and help comes from God! #downsyndrome #challenges #specialneeds”]
It’s easy to read the above verse wrong, kind of like a mantra. “I can do ALL things through Christ” But in context, the verse isn’t promising we can become President or win an Olympic medal. It means something much better!!!! When you read the literal rendering- it is an astounding promise. It reads this way:
For ALL THINGS, I have strength, in Christ’s strengthening me;
Philippians 4:13 Youngs Literal Translation
In context, Paul is sharing he has the strength to go through anything life throws at him. God gives us strength for all things. WOW!
Through Christ- I have strength for all things (to bear) not to do.
When we received the DNA results that confirmed that our little Bethany, did indeed have down syndrome, we were crushed in our spirits. So sad and fearful, wondering what her future would look like. We knew there would be many things she wouldn’t be able to do. We were perplexed and mystified about what she would be able to do.
The ironic thing is this: uncertainty in life is a given for each of us. No one will be able to accomplish everything in this life. Nor, do any of us know what our future holds.
But we don’t need to. Our good, good Father is over it all; nurturing us day by day, infusing us with strength and singing over us with His love. Grace upon grace.flows from His love to us.
I’m 60 now! And I’m telling you the only way I have strength for ALL things is because of Jesus! I realize, more than ever, I have my limits. But He doesn’t!!! He constantly infuses and shares His love and grace for each and every thing “life” throws at me!
And Bethany is learning this truth! She has strength to live with her limitations and challenges because Jesus has given her purpose and joy in this life. His joy is our strength.
18 years ago, we never would have dreamed, our little girl with down syndrome, would be dancing 5 routines and a Senior Dance solo on the big stage of the Lied Center at KU! We couldn’t have known she would be able to dance for 12 years with Dazzlers; a competitive Christian dance team. Nor, would we have been able to envision her going to KU this fall for a transitional post high school experience and internships!
Life isn’t always easy, but He’s is with us through ALL things– strengthening and encouraging us to keep our eyes fixed on the Author and Finisher of our faith.
I’m sure, to many, her dance routine would seem simplistic.
But as her mom, I am completely in awe of how God has infused Bethany with strength to learn and persevere. I know how many extra lessons and days of practicing it took to polish that routine! I know how badly her little flat feet hurt after every dance class.
I love how she has no sense of comparison or jealousy of the other more accomplished dancers. She admires them so much! And yet, she is equally thrilled with her own performance, knowing it was Jesus that strengthens her daily and gives her joy in her journey.
And there we have it.
[Tweet “God gives us strength for ALL things that come our way! #downsyndrome #specialneedparenting #encouragement #hope”]
(I’ve been a hot mess this last month with tears, laughter and everything in between. ) I hope you enjoy her joyful expression of dance as much as we did.
Surprising Treasure: “I, Paul, pleaded with the Lord 3 times to take away my chronic weakness. But God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
II Cor. 12:9
YES! For ALL THINGS, I have strength, in Christ’s strengthening me;
Philippians 4:13 Youngs Literal Translation
Yes!!! Thank you Jesus, for your supernatural strength to face all things!!!
TEARS!! I’m so proud of Bethany but just as much proud of my parents for raising such an amazing human! Love you mom & dad!!😍🥰
God knew she needed our family and we all needed her! What an amazing God we have that teaches us to depend on Him ! He gives us so much joy in this journey. <3 Love you
Cindy, Bethany’s dance is a dance of exuberance and joy, for sure! What a blessing! Thank you so much for sharing her with us all! This world needs more Bethanys, more of her beautiful smile, and more of her sweet, strong faith! Congratulations to Bethany and to you all!
Oh Linda, Thank you so much! Her joy and love are such a blessing to us that I love to share the joy! It thrills me when people can truly “see” Bethany as another “soul” and not just “that girl with down syndrome”. She has so much to offer this world (as does everyone) May the Lord open our eyes to see His handiwork in each and every person.
Hugs and thank you so much for taking the time to comment and for sharing the post.
She has come so far and only new adventures await on this journey of hers. Bethany is doing everything she has put her mind and strength in. She is a true child of God ❤️❤️Wonderful testimony!!
Thank you so much Dawn! She is everything we hoped for all our children- She loves God and she loves people and she perseveres! hugs and blessings to you!
You, the Barclay Family, never cease to amaze me. After all these years, I am still learning from you. I am beyond honored to know you. And, I am in awe that I still have a glimpse into your lives, your wisdom, your strength, and your love. With utmost love and respect, Pam
We’re all learning different lessons in this wonderful, challenging, exhausting, exhilarating life!! And isn’t it wonderful to share and encourage each other along the way! Thank you for your kind words (but maybe I should blog about our messiness sometime 😉 ) Love you too Pam- hugs and blessings!!!
It has truly been a blessing to follow Bethany’s journey through your blog posts, Cindy. And just LOOK at her!!
Congratulations to Bethany for a beautiful dance routine. The joy on her face is simply remarkable. And congrats to you and Jeff and the rest of your family. God certainly chose well when He chose you for Bethany.
Thanks for sharing this. We can, indeed, do all things through Him.
Much love and gratitude,
Susan
Sweet Susan! Thank you so much for you encouraging words! So many times in the last 18 years, it’s been difficult to see the forest for the trees. Blogging has helped me “mark” her growth and achievements and it’s most certainly focused my thoughts and meditations about “what God is doing” in our family, in my life, through Bethany.
I feel like we’ve reached a mountain top, and as I revel in her victory, I look back down at the path in the valley where we started, and I am amazed by God’s presence and power in our lives.
Hugs to you Susan! and thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Thank you Cindy for sharing and bringing us along on your journey. What a blessing to watch Bethany dance for the Lord. You and Jeff are such an inspiration. God bless you !
Hello sister Cindy. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am also blessed and feel privileged and honoured toget connected with you as well as know you as a Pastor Jeff’s wife. I am truly blessed by my visit to your blog post where I was so amazed by the talent of Dancing God has given to Bethany. I was also blessed to get to know your family. I would love to remain in touch with you. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe and specially those who are in the ministry to be encourged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 40 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of ri ch and the pooest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have young people from your contact to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time.
Good Morning brother, Diwakar Wankhede,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog and your kind comments. God is truly an awesome God- who perfects our lives- for His glory. He has taught me- no one is so broken or humble that He cannot exalt and make shine for His purposes!
May the Lord bless and work in you and through you for His good pleasure. May He encourage you and fill you daily with His benefits and surround you with His peace!
Blessings-
Cindy