Readers,
You are in for a treat. Meet Jeff Davidson. Jeff is part of the 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting team and he typically writes about faith and being a dad of a special needs child. His articles, like his newly released book (No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches) , are honest and tender. I have to say, many times they have brought tears to my eyes.
You will appreciate Jeff's heart, strength, and transparency. Not only is he part of the 1C13P team but he has his own ministry, Rising Above Ministries, for parents of special needs kids. I have been drawn to Jeff's message because my oldest has a hidden disability (a speech and language delay). Her struggles are not profound like Jon Alex's but I can (on some level) relate to the challenges and emotions Jeff describes. In fact, I think most parents can relate whether they have a special needs kiddo or not.
You will appreciate Jeff's heart, strength, and transparency. Not only is he part of the 1C13P team but he has his own ministry, Rising Above Ministries, for parents of special needs kids. I have been drawn to Jeff's message because my oldest has a hidden disability (a speech and language delay). Her struggles are not profound like Jon Alex's but I can (on some level) relate to the challenges and emotions Jeff describes. In fact, I think most parents can relate whether they have a special needs kiddo or not.
with faith, hope, and love,
Lori
When and why did you begin your
ministry?
We began
Rising Above Ministries in the late fall of 2005 by hosting our first worship
service for area special-needs families. Over the months and then years
afterwards, we began adding retreats, conferences, family events, social
activities, small groups, and support groups. Initially we operated just in
Middle Tennessee. Four years ago we felt God calling us to step out in faith
and build Rising Above Ministries into a national special-needs ministry.
Rising
Above was birthed out of our experiences raising our own son Jon Alex, who has
significant special needs. We experienced the pain, doubts, and swirling
emotions all special-need families face in their own journey. We also saw the
impact that it has on a family’s faith and the toil it takes on every aspect of
life. We were determined to establish a ministry that reached out to the whole
special-needs family, as every member of the family is affected in different
ways.
What are some of the biggest
challenges and successes?
The
special -needs community is full of folks who have lost their hope and
faith. They are hurting spiritually,
relationally, and emotionally. The divorce rate is staggering and we have an
epidemic of dads walking away from the family. The challenges are huge, which
makes reaching those families with the love of God and hope in Christ all the
more important.
Our
definition of success may seem a little unusual. At the end of every day, we
ask the question, “Was God glorified
today through Rising Above?” If we can
say “yes,” that day was a success.
What feedback have you received
about your ministry?
The
response and engagement with Rising Above has been incredible. The fact that my
wife and I live this walk ourselves, and that we are very open, honest, and
transparent about the journey resonates with others going down the same path in
life.
We like
to say that we are God’s ambassadors or messengers to the special-needs
community.
Tell us a little about your new
book, No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches: a
father, a son with special needs, and their journey with God.
I was
not prepared to be the father of a son with special needs. In fact, I was
convinced God had ruined my life, destroyed all my plans and dreams, and
abandoned me.
Now, as
I say in the book, I realize that “God sent a broken child into a broken world
to a broken father, so that together they would find God in their brokenness.”
God gave
me a masterpiece of His creation. I had prayed for God to heal my son and
change him, only to discover God was using my son to change and heal me.
This
book is really for anyone struggling to find purpose in his or her pain. It’s
about finding God’s presence through the most difficult, trying, and
bewildering seasons in your life.
The book
shows readers that God has a plan and a purpose for every person and life. It
also shows that in the times you feel the furthest from God, God will use those
times for the biggest manifestations of his presence and bring you closer to
Him than you ever were before.
It’s for
anyone and any family, not just those with special-needs. I like to say that
it’s God’s story, told through the eyes of a special-needs dad.
Where can we find No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches?
No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches is available online at
amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
What are you working on now?
I have
started my second book with the working title, The Heart of the Special-needs Dad. In the new book I will be
looking at my five-finger definition of the roles a special-needs dad fulfills
for his family. Those include warrior, protector, provider, encourager, and
equipper.
How can people connect with you?
My
personal blog can be found at goodnightsuperman.com. I’d love to also connect
with folks through Facebook at facebook.com/ramjeffdavidson or twitter at
@ramjeffdavidson.
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