“He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.'” — John 9:11
Jumping for Joy
The Special Olympics make the dreams of many children come true. On July 20, 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver started the Special Olympics with about 1,000 youth in Chicago. In recent years, almost 5 million children have participated annually in the Special Olympics in 172 countries. Shriver said, “Through sports, they can realize their potential for growth.”
It’s heartwarming most years to watch the wonderful volunteers and the children enjoy a time where they participate and feel important for a little while. The Special Olympics organization teaches excellence, inclusion and respect for everyone.
Though we can’t heal every hurt, it’s important to encourage others in every way. If we want to make a difference, we start by following the example of Jesus. Jesus reached out to Samaritans and all kinds of people. Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, and He refreshed her soul with spiritual water “springing up into everlasting life.”
When Jesus saw a blind man, He helped him. Jesus changed everything. Suddenly, everybody in the community was amazed that he could now see and asked him what happened. “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see” (John 9:11).
When a lame man was healed by God’s power one day, he jumped up and down with excitement. After Peter told the man to get up and walk, it was evident God’s power had turned a beggar into an overcomer who could work and support himself. “He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8).
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
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