SharePoint
Sign In
Help
ADN logo

Little Things
 

  • Home
NavigationSearch
  • Home
    • About
      • Our Mission and Vision
      • Our History
      • Who Are Anabaptists?
      • Our Staff
      • Field Associates
      • Board of Directors
      • Annual Reports
      • Staff Openings
    • Get Involved
      • Congregational Advocates
      • Partner Congregations
      • Accessibility in all aspects of church life
      • Barrier-Free Grant
    • Newsletter
      • Latest issue
      • Previous issues
      • Subscribe
    • BlogCurrently selected
      • Latest Posts
      • Subscribe
      • All Posts
    • Resources
      • Accessibility and Awareness
        • Accessibility
        • Accessibility Audits
        • Awareness
        • Changing Attitudes
        • Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
      • MC USA Accessibility Resolution and Study Guide
      • ADN Books
      • ADN Disability Language Guide
      • Barrier-Free Grant
      • Book and Media Recommendations
      • Caregivers
        • Circles of Care
        • Families
        • Support Groups
      • Congregational Assessment Survey
      • COVID-19 Resources
      • Disability Topics
        • ADHD
        • Autism spectrum
        • Disabilities of Aging
        • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
        • For the Deaf
        • Hearing Loss
        • Hidden disabilities
        • Intellectual disabilities
        • Mobility Impairment
        • Vision Disabilities
      • Faith Formation & Worship
        • Children
        • Classroom Accessibility
        • For Church leaders
        • Book Reviews
        • Our Speakers
        • Youth
      • From Other Faith Traditions
      • On Mental Health
        • Children and Youth
        • Depression and Anxiety
        • Healthy Boundaries
        • Mental Health Education
        • Mental Health Resource for Congregations
        • Mental Illnesses
        • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • Suicide
      • Speakers and Trainers
      • Webinars
      • All Resources
    • Donate
      • Support ADN: Donate Now
      • Legacy Giving
      • Honor And Memorial Gifts
      • Building the Future Partners
    • Contact Us
Left Menu
  • Pictures
  • Lists
  • Libraries
  • Recent
  • Blog
    • Latest PostsCurrently selected
    • Subscribe
    • All Posts

Little Things

Posted by Wilfred Martens /
11/1/2011
Page Image
Image Caption
Opening paragraph
Little things mean a lot. These words from a tune that was popular in the 1950s ran through my mind as we left the farm, deeply moved by our visit.

Page Content
​​ "Little things mean a lot." The words from a tune that was popular in the 1950s ran through my mind as we left the farm, deeply moved by our visit.

My wife Erma and I were en route to Halifax, about halfway through a vacation trip in the Canadian Maritimes. We had read about a Kleinegemeinde Mennonite colony somewhere between Truro and Halifax. We decided on an impromptu visit to this community, also known as the Northfield Settlement. We had no address except that it was in the vicinity of the small town of Upper Kennetcook.

 
As we searched for some sign of the colony we suddenly came to a gravel road with a small sign, Northfield. Assuming that this might lead to the colony, we turned onto the road, and after a couple of miles we noticed a mailbox with the anticipated name Penner, and a short distance later another with Penner, and another. Then at a  crossroads we came upon the meetinghouse with a sign: Northfield Christian Fellowship (Mennonite) Welcome.

Nearby a sign advertised fresh vegetables and nursery plants. We drove onto the farmyard which included a trim white house, a large barn, and structures for nursery plants. The entire front yard of the house was a flower garden in full bloom, the bright colors offered a cheery welcome. Several baskets of blossoms were hanging on both sides of the entrance.

Two women with headcoverings and dresses were working in the yard and approached us as we  emerged from our car. We introduced ourselves as visitors who were interested in learning about the settlement. Both the mother, Linda Dueck, and her daughter, Neta, answered our questions. In the 1980s about forty families migrated from Belize, purchased land, and began farming in Nova Scotia. Sunday church services are conducted in High and Low German.  The settlement provides a school in the basement of the meetinghouse for grades one through seven.

Linda invited us in for tea. At first we were hesitant to interrupt their work day. As we continued our conversation we mentioned that we were parents of an adult daughter who was developmentally disabled with cerebral palsy and mental impairment. “Oh, then you must come in and see my other daughter,” Linda responded. “In addition to gardening and nursery plants I run a one-patient hospital.”

As we entered the room we noticed monitoring devices and tubes which led to a bed where the daughter lay. The room was orderly and clean. Linda approached the bed and we followed her lead. The 23-year-old was profoundly disabled and required total care. Her small twisted body faced the wall. It appeared to us that she could not move much nor speak; it was our impression that she could not sit up or walk.

With a loving gesture, the mother gently stroked the forehead, leaned over, and spoke softly,  “Wilma, you have visitors. Would you like to smile for them?” Erma also leaned near and greeted her, “Hi, Wilma.” Then for just a second or two the face brightened and a very slight smile appeared. And then it was gone. Such a little thing, just a hint of a smile.

Hand grasps a glass of water
 
Those who have observed and worked with persons with disabilities know how important little things are – a sound, a movement, a twitch, a breath. Jesus reminded us of the significance of little things with his comment about a cup of cold water given to one in need (Matt 10:42). It was clear to us that Wilma was lovingly cared for. She was a valued member of the family and community.

If we ignore or devalue the small things, we might overlook significant gifts. A gift can come from a source that we least expect. Wilma’s slight smile was such a little thing, but to us it was a profound gift.

Wilfred Martens attends College Community Church in Clovis, California, and served on ADNet’s Board of Directors. He is Professor Emeritus at Fresno Pacific University and one of the founders of California Mennonite Residential Services. ​
​

Photos Nova Scotia Rural Scene © Copyright Richard Robinson  and licensed​ for reuse under this Creative Commons License. Cup of water photo: markuso/freedigitalphotos.net

 Latest posts

  • Weathering the Pandemic for Families with Special Needs
  • An Extraordinary Life
  • Transition to Adulthood
  • In the Wake of Tragedy, An Affirmation of Life and Hope
  • A Gift for Loving
  • Families
Subscribe to Opening Doors Subscribe to Opening Doors

 Related posts

  • Weathering the Pandemic for Families with Special Needs
  • An Extraordinary Life
    An Extra Ordinary Life, by Rhoda G. Penny, reviewed by Rebekah Flores.
  • Transition to Adulthood
    Kevin Sauder shares about the transition from school to adult life for his son who is on the autism spectrum.
  • In the Wake of Tragedy, An Affirmation of Life and Hope
    Sue Cassel reflects on hanging on to hope through times of desperate family crisis.
  • A Gift for Loving
    A father learns that his son has a gift for loving others, which he shares freely with his church family.
  • Families
    All posts of particular interest to families, from from ADN's blog, Opening Doors

 Latest posts

  • Loneliness: It Affects us All
    M.Div. student Michelle Robichaud offers a few ways churches can support lonely youth who lack a feeling of connection.
  • 2023
  • Epiphany: See Our Guide!
    Brandon Grady draws a connection between navigating life as a blind man and searching for Jesus as a magi.
  • Immanuel: God with Us
    God is with us in our pain, suffering, and isolation. Jesus's incarnation brings us hope.
  • The Kin-dom of Heaven
    Sarah Werner provides an eloquent imagining of what it feels like to be wholly welcomed into God's Community
  • Wounded and Whole
    Why does the Resurrected Jesus have wounds? Laura Stone muses in her sermon on disability and wholeness. Plus a sneak peek of Laura and Peggy Gilbert's performance poetry.

 Read more about

  • Families

Contact us

P: 877-214-9838 (Toll Free)
P: 574-343-1362
3145 Benham Avenue
Suite 5
Elkhart, IN 46517-1970
Visit the Anabaptist Disabilities Network on Facebook!

Support ADN

Use your credit card to contribute online:

Donate Now Through Network for Good

Donate Now Through PayPal

    Resources

  • Staff
  • About
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • Employment
  • Sign In
  • © Anabaptist Disabilities Network 2019