{"id":3444,"date":"2013-03-07T06:54:43","date_gmt":"2013-03-07T11:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/?p=3444"},"modified":"2013-03-08T07:05:33","modified_gmt":"2013-03-08T12:05:33","slug":"end-of-an-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2013\/03\/end-of-an-era.html","title":{"rendered":"End of an era"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"end<\/a>Carla is not adjusting well to this time. \u00a0It is an end of an era for her. \u00a0Carla \u00a0is a high functioning person with intellectual disabilities. \u00a0\u00a0Both parents have died. \u00a0She became too ill to live in her own apartment any longer. \u00a0For health and safety reasons, Carla has been moved into a group home where she can receive medical attention and help with her personal care needs.<\/p>\n

Joseph is experiencing the opposite. \u00a0It is also an end of an era for him. \u00a0His mother\u2019s health has forced his family to make a hard decision. \u00a0He, too, moved into a group home. \u00a0While living with his family, Joseph was never allowed to dress, shave or clean himself. \u00a0He was told where to go and what to do. \u00a0At the group home, he is required to clean, dress and shave himself. \u00a0He must take part in the chores and activities of the household. \u00a0He is required to do his own laundry and clean his own room.<\/p>\n

Carla\u2019s personality is softly pleasant. \u00a0Her manners are tender and appealing. \u00a0Joseph\u2019s manner is gruff and abrasive. \u00a0He never walks. \u00a0He struts, giving the impression that he thinks more highly of himself than he ought.<\/p>\n

\"unhappy<\/a>While Carla finds group home living restrictive and oppressive, Joseph has never felt more freedom. \u00a0Carla has fewer chores and responsibilities now that she no longer lives in her own apartment. Someone cooks her meals, helps her with her household chores when necessary. \u00a0 Without even informing her, the staff completes the paperwork required by the government which she often hid rather than traverse through the unintelligible maze of questions. \u00a0They worry about her medications and take care of her doctor’s appointments. \u00a0Carla resents the assistance she receives.<\/p>\n

The demands on Joseph have multiplied but his finds increasing freedom in this new arrangement even though it is wrapped tightly with chores and requirements. \u00a0Of course, Joseph has never been one to complain. \u00a0He takes life as it come; and he trusts the Lord to work things out for his benefit. \u00a0Joseph often prays out loud, seriously or happily asking God to help him.<\/p>\n

Carla admits that she almost never prays. \u00a0The requirements of \u201creligion\u201d are much too difficult and confining. \u00a0Carla cannot grasp the concept of God being a friend\u2013her friend.<\/p>\n

Joseph\u2019s cognitive level is far below Carla\u2019s; but his faith quotient soars far above most other people. \u00a0He prays and expects an answer \u201cbecause God loves me.\u201d \u00a0He believes that \u201call things work\u201d for his good. \u00a0\u201cGod said it in the Bible. \u00a0Therefore, it\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n

In short, Carla is miserable and has been for years. \u00a0Joseph is joyous. Each day is a welcomed adventure.<\/p>\n

\"sitting<\/a>Each of us come to times in our lives when things radically change. \u00a0We graduate from college. \u00a0We get married. \u00a0Our first baby is born. \u00a0The first child enters kindergarten. \u00a0Then\u00a0poof. \u00a0<\/em>\u00a0In a few short days, she is entering college. \u00a0The children leave home. \u00a0The children come back home. \u00a0A spouse dies.<\/p>\n

Our IQ does not determine the position of our misery barometer. \u00a0Through prayer and fellowship with our Heavenly Father and Savior-Redeemer-Friend Jesus our barometers are adjusted, determining the joy and love into which we motivate through life. \u00a0I am praying that my life follows the example set by Joseph. \u00a0Even though, he is a young man with a lousy personality and low IQ, \u00a0Joseph has trapped the life-giving force of the Lord Jesus and released it into his surroundings and lifestyle<\/span>. \u00a0His example gives me hope and joy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Carla is not adjusting well to this time. \u00a0It is an end of an era for her. \u00a0Carla \u00a0is a high functioning person with intellectual disabilities. \u00a0\u00a0Both parents have died. \u00a0She became too ill to live in her own apartment any longer. \u00a0For health and safety reasons, Carla has been moved into a group home…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":387,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,20,3,40,186,49,16,8,4,41],"tags":[690,21,688,696,7,699,715,701,694,689,57,6,700],"class_list":["post-3444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christianity","category-church","category-developmental-disabilities","category-faith","category-hope","category-inspiration","category-intellectual-disability","category-mentally-challenged-community","category-simple-truths","category-spirituality","tag-autism-spectrum","tag-christian","tag-christianity","tag-church","tag-developmental-disabilities-2","tag-faith","tag-hope","tag-inspiration","tag-intellectual-disability","tag-mentally-challenged-community","tag-prayer","tag-simple-scriptural-truths","tag-spirituality"],"yoast_head":"\nEnd of an era - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"End of an era - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Carla is not adjusting well to this time. \u00a0It is an end of an era for her. \u00a0Carla \u00a0is a high functioning person with intellectual disabilities. \u00a0\u00a0Both parents have died. \u00a0She became too ill to live in her own apartment any longer. \u00a0For health and safety reasons, Carla has been moved into a group home…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2013\/03\/end-of-an-era.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2013-03-07T11:54:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2013-03-08T12:05:33+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/specialgathering.files.wordpress.com\/2013\/03\/end-of-a-road.jpg?w=510\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Linda G. 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