#speaklife – Page 3 – rootedbythewater.blog

When you see people do you really see them? There are so many factors that come together to make people the way they are. You may be asking, what factors? The environments people are raised in, both good and bad, shape people. The types of families, patents, parenting styles have a huge affect on people. The words spoken over people both positive and negative, shape them and the way they think. Past hurts, successes and shortcomings, all factor in. Ones abilities and disabilities and societies response to those can cause life long attitudes and perceptions.

You might be wondering why I’m rambling on like this. As some one with visual and hearing limitations, I truly “See” people. People need love and acceptance.

The American culture and society right now is such a complete mess, It breaks my heart. The lack of morales and upright values is downright appalling. And we wonder why people are so messed up and hurt.

What can we do in light of our current cultural depravity? We can be a listening ear and make time to hear another’s heart. We can and should ask God to give us His perspective on whats occurring around us. We can pray! We can pray that God gives us a heightened sensitivity to what is happening around us. There is such great power in prayer. Just do it! Make the time to ask God what He thinks about what’s going on. Be part of the loving caring solution. We can’t remove ourselves from this world but we can SHINE for Jesus in the murky darkness.

I find myself praying often for children and young adults. I pray God cancels out every plan the enemy has for our young ones. I pray God will pierce the darkness and expose things hidden in plain sight. If you are a person of influence, a parent, educator, business owner, coach, mentor: what can you do to push against this negative culture? You can speak life and truth in love. Value all people. Stand in the gap in prayer and positive living. You can say one thing with your words and something entirely different with your body language and indifference.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
‭‭(‬ ‭NIV‬‬). Will you surrender to Jesus and let Him give you a fresh perspective? “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Lord help us to make a difference. Help us to realize you desire to use us to bring about good and healing. You are El Roi, the God who sees. Nothing is hidden from you. May our surrender and obedience be an act of loving worship as you use us for your glory. In Jesus name Amen!

To read more of my story you can find my autobiography on Amazon in hard cover, soft cover and e book formats. “Rooted by the Water” by Shannon Kenley Hinson.
Www.shannonkhinson.com

Using labels for medical purposes is inevitable. I see the need to use them, however I also see the negative impact once labels are given. A person should never be defined by his or her impairment or disease.

I personally have been labeled deaf and legally blind. It is what it is, but I don’t own it, My point is, yes I do have these limitations but I don’t let them define who I am. There is such a range of functioning with any label. As a legally blind person the label makes it sound like I see nothing. That’s so wrong. Sure I don’t see normally, as a matter of fact at my last eye appointment almost five years ago my vision was 20/400. So, do you think I use a white cane and seeing eye dog? I actually don’t. My visual impairment is due to my optic nerves being abnormally small. All the stimuli doesn’t get through my smaller nerves to tell my brain what I’m looking at. Is it blurry? Thankfully no, it’s just not big enough to know what it is. Size, shape, color and lighting help me figure things out. So I see things as they get closer.

Hearing loss has such a wide spectrum of functioning as well. Some people can hear nothing, some can hear a little with hearing aids. I got an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant in 2008. This technology helps me to hear environmental noises, some speech, nature sounds and music. I can’t understand it all but it’s better than nothing.

Some people may not have issues with labels. Labels might create comfort zones where they have excuses not to try anything out of the ordinary. On the contrary I am the opposite. Labels make me feel like I’m in a box and am limited by the expectations. I’ve alway liked to defy the odds and try anyway. Life is too short to sit on the sidelines and let everything go on around you.

Labels denote what one can’t do, what’s broken or wrong with them. So instead of saying I’m deaf and legally blind I prefer to say I can hear some and see some too. Only God and I know how much.

Recently I was trying to find out about services for an autistic young teenager. I was asked if he was high functioning or low functioning. I would rather say, “ What are his abilities and social skills?” to find the right placement where he would be most comfortable . I am mindful to keep it positive so people have a feeling of acceptance. So instead of labels that depict what’s wrong or can’t be done, let’s focus on the positives of what can be done. Sometimes a positive change of perspective is very helpful.

Check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Target, Walmart and Park Road Books. My story of learning to live triumphantly despite disabilities, through Gods strength and lessons He has taught me along the way. Be inspired!

Tag: #speaklife

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