Friday, March 28
You Are Worthy
He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, “Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up ground?” But he answered and said to him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.” – Luke 13: 6-9
When I accepted my son Devin’s diagnosis of autism, I made up my mind that I would do all I could to help him be successful. I also decided that I would not try to make him into what I hoped or wished he would be. God blessed Devin with amazing Special Education teachers who helped nurture and guide him. Devin was doing so well in elementary school that we (his IEP team) decided that it would be good for him to go to inclusion classes in science and social studies alone and that he was to remain with his ESS teacher for core subjects (ELA and Math). When Devin was in the 4th grade he took the LEAP test and those scores usually come out at the end of the school year, however this time they weren’t released until the next school year in October. Devin was in 5th grade now and everything was going smoothly. After Winter Break we came back to school and I brought some papers to the 5th grade math teacher Miss Patterson.
“Hey D! I got a new student this morning.” She smiled.
“Ok,” I said as I handed her the papers.
“You need to lay your eyes on him!” Taking the papers from my hand. I turn around and scan the room. Then look at her confused.
“Do you see him? He’s wearing a green camouflage coat.” She said pointing to a little boy.
“Devin!” I said in shock. “Why is he here?”
“Per orders of the principal,” she said.
I ran straight to the principal’s office. As I walked in her office she said, “Don’t be mad-just hear me out, please!” I stopped and listened. Mrs. Jadid noticed that Devin scored a Basic in ELA and was just two points from a Basic in Math. She felt that he needed to be in inclusion classes for all subjects because he is capable.
I was like the owner of the vineyard. I didn’t see my son’s full potential. Mrs. Jadid was the keeper of the garden; she knew that by exposing Devin to regular education classes he would blossom and he did.
We are all worthy of a chance to become all that God has intended for us to be.
Heavenly Father sometimes we sell ourselves or others short and put limitations that hinder. Help us to remember that we are all worthy and capable. In Jesus name amen
L. Darlene Dickson