"Never, Never, Never, Never Give Up"

Churchill said this on October 29, 1941, when he visited Harrow School. It was after the Blitz and things were looking up a bit for Britain. Here is the relevant part of the speech:

But for everyone, surely, what we have gone through in this period--I am addressing myself to the School--surely from this period of ten months, this is the lesson: Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

Winston Churchill was certainly not the first to determine that we should never give up when faced with adversity and obstacles seem to be meeting our every footstep. God's holy word is laden with these words and examples of His children never giving up. But when it comes to convincing ourselves that we should not give up when thing are tough, it takes more than reading a passage or quote from someone who has been there. It takes personal experience to believe that victory will come.

I have had the priveledge this past year of meeting one of those special angels on earth that exlemplifies courage and wisdom. Robert is a member of our church and I believe that God placed him in my path to encourage me as I learn how to communicate and relate to my son Christopher, who cannot speak or hear normally and depends on me for all of his cares.

Robert is a man about 60ish and has cerebral palsy. He is independent and you would not know from a distance that there is anything "different" about him. The first Sunday after joining our new Parish, Robert greeted Chris and I with a very gentle smile and inquired as to what Christopher's name was. His speech was very slow and purposeful but he articulated well. Robert stated that he was just like Christopher at the same age and he did not speak his first words until he was 8 years old. He said he would be praying for Christopher (and I believe he is on a daily basis). Then he began to struggle a bit with his words and paused. He looked at Christopher and then at me and gently patting Christopher on the shoulder said " Never give up, never , never, never give up".

Only God knows if Christopher actually heard or comprehended Robert's words that day, but I certainly did and it was as though Christ spoke through Robert that day to me and gave me the encouragement I certainly needed. There have continued to be many Sundays since that first meeting that Robert approaches us asking the same questions about Christopher and reminding me and any of my other sons who may be standing near to "Never give up".

Two Saturday's ago we attended a Trivia night at church and Robert was present. We had Christopher with us and as we entered the room Robert approached and I shook his hand as usual and we had our usual exchange of words, with me feeling that I was a bit selfish for always getting the gift of encouragement like some kind of a vitamin shot. What was I giving in return? I must get to know Robert a bit better, I decided. As he was on another team I did not get to speak with him until the game was over but I sought him out with Christopher by my side. Robert began to share with me that he had visited the miraculous Shrine of Our Lady in Fatima, Spain three years in a row and testified that after each trip he received a slow progressive healing over the years with regards to his speech. He began to open up a bit as I acknowledeged that it must have been frustrating before he gained speech to know what you want to say, but cannot express it in words.

Robert confessed that the only one that really believed in him and encouraged him 100% was his mother and that she never would let him give up. This time I made sure that I thanked him more than once for his prayers for Christopher and told him that I always looked forward to seeing him and talking with him. I am looking forward to getting to know Robert better. I imagine his vast spritual insight, wisdom and intellect is grossly underestimated by the general population and I certainly do not wish to do so. Many of the children who are labled with various "defects" by our society are the ones that God has chosen to represent Him best. When God whispers in your ear that you have been appointed to the care of one of these exceptional little ones, do not be afraid, say "yes, I will receive this beautiful gift " and He will send you angels in disguise along the way to encourage you on the days that you feel so totally ill equipped. He will never, never, never, never give up on you!!