By Shari McMinn

On that day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took Him with them in the boat, just as He was. And other boats were with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:35-41 ESV).

A squall quickly enveloped the three of us offshore of Hilton Head, South Carolina. My Dad  had chartered a boat to take us out about 20 miles into the Atlantic, beyond sight of the shoreline. Just as we had called it a day, pounding rain and heavy winds suddenly overcame the 35’ center-console boat. We huddled together under the small canopy that sheltered our captain at the wheel.

By Shari McMinn

“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven — for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:47 ESV).

During RMHC 2021 last month, I had the privilege of facilitating a Conversation Cafe, “Raising Special Needs Children.” This was a session I volunteered to lead because I believe it provided crucial encouragement and practical guidance for families raising and homeschooling special needs children. Some of you blog readers were in attendance and shared from your heart regarding your struggles raising your extra-special children. This post will circle back to that discussion and, hopefully, lend much-needed support for your precious-to-the-Lord families on a couple of topics we discussed.