Guest blogger: Taylor Hood

I am currently in a preaching series on suffering, loss, lament, and trust. In light of this, some brave men and women of NewLife will be sharing their own stories of learning to trust God through suffering in both the Pulse and by video on Sundays. Today’s guest writer is Taylor Hood.

Hi, my name is Taylor Hood. I was born June 15th, 1986, on Father’s Day, which made my Dad very happy. Although I was born with a disability, my parents didn’t learn what it was until I was 18 months old. I have Williams Syndrome, a disability that makes me learn slower. Lots of people with Williams Syndrome have many medical issues, but I am pretty healthy.

When I was a baby, my parents and our church prayed a lot for my complete healing. I’ve prayed for healing too, but I still have Williams Syndrome and I am OK with it. Sometimes I wonder why God hasn’t healed me. It feels unfair, and I do get sad and a little mad. I am used to it now that I am older, but it still makes me sad sometimes. But I’m having a good life. One good thing is that people are more used to people with disabilities than before.

There are things I can’t do. The hardest one is that I can’t drive. And I can’t manage money or cook (yet). But there a lot of things I can do. I read mysteries, and I am a good hiker. I was good at gymnastics when I was young. I also took piano lessons and learned to read music, which surprised people. One of the gifts God gave me was to play piano (“You Raise Me Up”) at my brother’s wedding while my parents walked down the aisle. That was very special to me. I also played on stage at the SBM Theater at Manchester Community College when “Communitas” gave me a scholarship.

I have a job that I like. It was hard to learn, but I got used to it. I can pay for my rent and everything else I need.

I don’t remember when I accepted Christ, but my baptism was very important to me. This church has been very important to me, too.  I love greeting on Sunday mornings.  One of the things that people with Williams Syndrome are good at is recognizing faces. So, I am the person who gives the brochure to newcomers. God is using my disability to help other people.

If you are a parent of a child with a disability, you will need to learn a lot about it, and God may not heal your child. But, God still loves you and your child. Your child is a good gift. And, God will use you, and your child, to help others.

            This is a scripture verse that helps me get through each day: Hebrew 13:6 - “The Lord is my Helper. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”