Shownotes
Paul was devastated when his son was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, but he came to see not only the power and impact of one life but how God works in the details of our lives.
Episode Discussion Points
- How his birth date ended up changing the outcome of his life.
- God is in the details of our life—learning to submit to God in all things
- The story of Mark (their 5th of 6th child) being born
- Hearing the news that Mark had Down Syndrome, which initially devastated him
- What helped him literally and figuratively “get up off the closet floor” after the diagnosis
- The Down Syndrome support group they joined in the Chicago area which changed their entire perspective on being parents of a child with disabilities and how to be an advocate for your child.
- How their advocacy and Mark changed an entire school district’s opinion of special needs children
- Sometimes you have to take a step of faith into the darkness, and give yourself grace if you move slower than you think you should—God doesn’t give up on us.
- “Life isn’t a summation of good and bad. It is a picture you build over time."
- The significance of the Footprints in the Sand story for him personally
- Lesson in divine love from being buried in the snow on a Scout Campout with Mark
- Choosing how to react toward life’s difficulties with softness or anger
- Sometimes prayers bring about miracles, and other times you have to learn to let someone you love go, like his daughter Sarah
- We’re here to learn and grow but when it is time to pass on we can take comfort in what Sarah shared with her father, “It's nice over there.”
- The importance of remembering times when God has helped you through hard times and reminding yourself that if He did it then, He will do it again.
- A father’s perspective on the influence and capacity of his child
- The power and impact of one life
Lessons From Mark
- It’s not about him, its about Mark and what Mark has taught him and those around him throughout their life
- The spiritual impressions he personally learned that every person has great worth
- Don’t underestimate the power one person can have to change people and programs with God’s help
- Lesson in divine love after being buried in the snow on a Scout Campout with Mark
- These special needs souls have a divine gift to influence so many people
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 46:10, “Be Still and know that I am God.”
Connect With Paul
#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #specialneedschild #downsyndrome #Godinthedetails #peace #thepowerofone #Godslove
Transcription
You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/paul-taylor-how-is-god-in-the-details-of-our-lives
