⁸We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. ¹¹For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹²So death is at work in us, but life in you. 
 2 Corinthians 4:8-12

God has a miraculous way of showing you little glimpses of what He seems to have planned for you. That is where I am at in my walk with Christ right now. If you are new to the blog, my passion is special needs individuals and their families. I want to devote my life to furthering the gospel to these individuals to see God take these “broken bodies” be renewed through Jesus. I came up with the tagline “Broken Bodies Inwardly Renewed” for a new line of shirts that I am wanting to launch soon. But since then, I have really thought about what that means. It’s not just a new slogan to put on a shirt. It is a mission statement, a plan of action for spreading the gospel.

I was concerned initially that this tagline would be interpreted in a negative connotation since it talks about “broken bodies.” When I thought long and hard about this I understood fully that this is a powerful statement. In the Bible it says, “By his stripes we are healed” when Jesus went to the cross seemingly powerless no one at that time knew what was coming. His power three days later was unlike anything anyone could have imagined. The same is true today, we are weak due to sin. Whether you are struggling with addiction, born disabled, or struggling with sin. When we were born separated from God we were born broken. It just so happened that my body was born broken. Let me clarify, DISABILITY IS NOT A PUNISHMENT FROM GOD! It’s quite the opposite, disability is the biggest blessing that I have received. For me, being disabled and a Christian I feel empowered by Jesus Christ even if I am not physically able he enables me to do more than I could have ever imagined. So the sentiment, “Broken Bodies Inwardly Renewed” is not emphasizing the disabled’s outer weakness, but the Lord’s strength that lives inside those who have received him.

This “mission statement” has given me perspective of why special needs ministry is so important. I have been planning a camp for special needs kids (2-6 grade) for the month of August. It is crazy to see it all come together and I am so thankful. So far, we have three special kids signed up and hopefully more will follow suit. Planning this camp, getting to see the need in the community, and the opportunity to start a community of individuals with something in common is so special. I see the other side of the struggle that disability brings and to be able to shed some light on that brings more joy to my heart than anything else in my life. I am a broken body inwardly renewed by Jesus Christ. Can you say the same? It doesn’t matter whether you are disabled or not. We all have something that has broken our body, spirit, life……we all need to be inwardly renewed. My disability is the most tangible thing in my life that shows me the goodness of God. I am grateful that I am getting the opportunity to show the love of Christ to others because we all need him.

A Note From Me!

⁸Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 
Psalm 34:8

Hey all, I haven’t written in a while and through my unintentional hiatus I have had a lot of awesome Rolling In Faith opportunities. I have had a speaking engagement for the Lutheran Church of the Cross’s Mother’s Day Conference and I had the best time. Everyone was so wonderful and it was a great night. I have also been planning Wonderfully Made: A Rolling In Faith Day Camp. I am so excited for this event and if anyone knows of a family with a child (2-6 grade) with a disability/special need email: rollinginfaith@gmail.com for more info or message me through FB @rollinginfaith or Hadley Stephens. Please be in prayer for that event and all those in attendance. Also be praying for my bestie Kenzie as she goes on a 7 week internship in Italy!!

See you all soon,

Hadley xx