Maddie is one of those people within the mentally challenged community whom\u00a0everyone loves. \u00a0She is friendly and happy. \u00a0Maddie makes everyone feel as though they are her “extra-special friend.” \u00a0Several years ago Mattie and her husband moved from our city to a small town out of the state. \u00a0Because I assumed that I’d never see her again, I didn’t pay much attention to the name of the city or the state. \u00a0Mattie often called me with prayer requests.<\/p>\n
She called when her cat was sick and later when her cat died. \u00a0She called to let me know that she was sick and called often to ask for prayer for her farm animals. \u00a0There was no doubt in my mind that Maddie was sincere and that these prayer requests were important to her. \u00a0However, I didn’t pay much attention to her “simple” daily needs.<\/p>\n
Last week Maddie called. \u00a0It was Saturday morning. \u00a0I was extremely busy and I had no intention of answering the phone. \u00a0Yet, by mistake, I did answer. \u00a0Calmly, Maddie said, “Linda, I need prayer.” \u00a0This wasn’t a surprise. \u00a0Maddie only called when she needed prayer. \u00a0I expected to hear about a pig or a chicken that was sick. \u00a0“Michael just died,” she reported without emotion.<\/p>\n
“What, Hon?” I asked, “Who died?”<\/p>\n
“Michael. \u00a0Michael just died.”<\/p>\n
“Are you talking about Michael? \u00a0Your Michael?”<\/p>\n
“Yes, my Michael, just died. \u00a0The people from the morgue\u00a0left a few minutes ago.” \u00a0Her quiet composure shocked me. \u00a0She continued, “Can you come to the funeral?”<\/p>\n
I explained that I could not possibly come because I was going on a trip the next day and I’d be out-of-state for a little more than a week. \u00a0I prayed for her and we hung up. \u00a0After the phone call, I started to wonder in what state they were living. \u00a0I called Maddie back and found out that she is in Tennessee–the state where I was visiting. \u00a0“I can’t make any promises,” I told her, “but I may be able to attend Michael’s funeral.”<\/p>\n
The town where she\u00a0lives is\u00a0about 30 minutes from the city where I was visiting. \u00a0By the afternoon, the plans were made for me to get to the funeral. \u00a0Maddie’s family was not at the funeral. \u00a0There were only 12 or 13 people who attended. \u00a0Half of them were construction workers who are building a new home for them. \u00a0Maddie was Maddie. \u00a0Of course, she was grieving her loss; but she remained friendly and happy to have the few people there who were able to attend.<\/p>\n
I was struck by God’s tender mercies extended toward a young widow whose husband suddenly collapsed and died in front of her. \u00a0It was an honor to be \u00a0a part of the funeral for this brave young woman who\u00a0suddenly\u00a0lost her husband and best friend. There are many things that can be said about the intellectually disabled\u00a0community. \u00a0In counting their assets, their bravery is one virtue that often becomes valor. \u00a0Maddie is finding the peace that only God can give in the middle of her loss. \u00a0Additionally, she is showing the strong bravery that is often present in this unique and wonderful community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Maddie is one of those people within the mentally challenged community whom\u00a0everyone loves. \u00a0She is friendly and happy. \u00a0Maddie makes everyone feel as though they are her “extra-special friend.” \u00a0Several years ago Mattie and her husband moved from our city to a small town out of the state. \u00a0Because I assumed that I’d never see…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":387,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,3,40,186,49,16,4],"tags":[690,688,14,7,699,715,701,694,689,687],"class_list":["post-3513","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christianity","category-developmental-disabilities","category-faith","category-hope","category-inspiration","category-intellectual-disability","category-simple-truths","tag-autism-spectrum","tag-christianity","tag-death-and-dying","tag-developmental-disabilities-2","tag-faith","tag-hope","tag-inspiration","tag-intellectual-disability","tag-mentally-challenged-community","tag-simple-truths"],"yoast_head":"\n