Romans 8:28

Times photo by Dirk Shadd

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. "

I woke up Thursday morning and checked my e-mail as always before rounding up the troupes for school and getting myself to work. There was a an e-mail from a mom of one of The Boys classmates that caught my immediate attention.

Christine's therapy bike had been stolen in the night. Please pray!


For those of you who have been following this blog for some time you may remember Christine from the Halloween dance. She was the first girl that The Boy ever asked to dance.

People THAT kind of milestone in a boy's life is never forgotten by a mom. Especially when they choose so wisely!

Dancing

Although I have to say he nearly frightened me to death as his dancing is much like his life. Wild and reckless. I told him to be careful with Christine but she was laughing so hard as they whirled around the dance floor...

Christine's mom and I spoke briefly as we were dropping the kids off at school on Thursday morning. I told her that I would bring a scholarship application from an organization that would replace the therapy bike later that afternoon.

When I picked the boy up at 2:30 pm a Bay News 9 van was at the school. The St. Petersburg Times had already interviewed the family at the school.

The mother of another student had alerted them all.

Yesterday at the school's bowling field trip Channel 10 news was at the alley. Go here to see the video.

At the bowling alley Christine's mom was filling me in on the community outpouring of concern and generosity. An outpouring of love.

Someone had given the police a $1,000.00 reward for the return of the bike. Countless citizens and organizations have offered to replace the $2,200 bike.

Why even the wheel chair company called and offered to buy Christine a new bike!

Mrs. M, Christine's mom and I were whooping with laughter about that offer in view of The Baby's one-armed drive fiasco. Christine's mom informed me that it had also taken well over a year to get Christine's wheel chair from them as well!

For some outpouring of love = good publicity.

For the majority of well wishers the outpouring of love is straight from their hearts.

Christine's mom also told me at the bowling alley that it dawned on her in a big way that the bike theft was not about Christine but about Christine and The Boy's school. She elaborated by stating how God works all things together for good. You see, no one is a better representative of the school our children attend than Christine's mother. Tirelessly raising funds and spreading the word. At the auction last year she sold 75 tickets to the fundraiser.

I couldn't even sell one.

Fundraisers are a big part of keeping the school going. Attendance is way down and parents and professionals are constantly trying to raise funds and spread awareness regarding this wonderful school.

Yesterday at the bowling alley I noticed that instead of filming and leaving as the news usually does, the reporter stayed the entire 2 hours. Her eyes continuously filling with tears as she watched the special students bowl.

She remarked to Christine's mom that she never knew a school like ours existed.

Christine's' mom, in true Christine's mom fashion, has engaged every reporter, camera man/woman and news anchor to spread the word and take part in the upcoming auction. Her exemplary attitude regarding the situation has been a testament to viewers, readers and reporters everywhere. And because of her our school shines.

Talk about your free publicity.

Roman's 8:28 in action. Story at 11.