Entrusted With the Special - Brianna's Story

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

How many of you have a child who howls - doesn’t cry in the normal way, but it's not a tantrum? They howl as if they were being slaughtered, refusing to budge. People around you roll their eyes as though your baby is a brat or you are a bad parent.

This is one of a million moments that cause your heart to stop. Your fear takes your breath away. First anger, then frustration, and then finally acceptance. You get over your embarrassment quickly and you're flooded with unconditional love for your child. If you’re lucky, the child will let you pick him or her up just to hold them, comfort them.

Every ‘Special Child’ has different triggers. To some it could be noise. Something that to us is not noticeable, but it hurts your child. It could be people or crowds or going somewhere unfamiliar.

It doesn’t matter what the world thinks of your child. They are a gift from God. You were chosen to be this child’s parent. We are entrusted with them. They belong to GOD.

"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3

Truthfully there have been times that Anthony and I have felt inadequate, not equipped to handle some of the things that have come up in Brianna’s life. I’ve cried myself to sleep wondering how this sweet girl was ever going to fit in at school, if she would ever make friends who would accept and understand her. Even now the thought of a Dentist appointment has me second guessing - ‘Does she really need this, do I have the strength today?’ - dreading the tears and struggle it will take to coax her to let the Dentist get near her. But God…

Man said:
Brianna will never be able to communicate well.
She will never be able to read beyond a first grade level. 
Her speech will be limited.
She will need medication for her anxiety and fears.
Beyond her family, Brianna’s shyness will keep her from making friends.
She can’t retain information. 
In other words; she is limited.

God said:

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ." 
Colossians 2:8

Brianna is now 26 years old. She has never taken medication beyond Advil for a headache. She went to El Dorado high school where she attended plays, football games and dances - she even went to prom!

Brianna reads and can do math at a 4th grade level. She is very verbal and can express absolutely everything she’s feeling. She and her other ‘limited’ friends text each just like anyone else.

She plays sports. She also has a ministry. She is called the ‘Baby Whisperer’ –, she can comfort little ones when they are fussy. She rocks them in her arms and they melt into her until they are calm or fall asleep.

Bri is also a prayer warrior. She sits with her Bible and pen copying pages of the Bible. Ask her why and she’ll tell you she is studying the Bible. And...she prays about everything.

Brianna is self-confident and has always known she is loved.
Because of Christ - she is limitless.

God has put people in our lives who are also raising these wonderful special children. We share burdens and joys. We learn from others' mistakes. We prop each other up with prayer and encouraging words.

I’ve heard a phrase that states, “If God takes you to it, He’ll get you through it” In blessing us with these children, God is telling us He will give us all the tools we need to bring them up. We need to trust Him one moment at a time.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
2 Corinthians 9:8

Resurrection Day is coming. Without Christ, Anthony and I would not have known what we needed to bring up Brianna into the young woman she is today. We trusted God. We take no credit for the work in her life. In what could have been the darkest time in our lives came the Light that illuminated our path. Knowing and trusting in the Living God was paramount in everything we did and still do.

"The LORD is good. When trouble comes, He is a strong refuge. And He knows everyone who trusts in Him."
Nahum 1:7

by Eve Montano