Day 9- To Sign or Not to Sign?
On Day 8, I shared about the cross-road I faced on my own Faith Journey. One path named “bitter” and the other named “better.” I reluctantly chose to travel the “better” path. I chose obedience over my feelings of frustration and anger. I had to recall that “Thus far, The Lord has helped me” and that He would not abandon me now.
Our Ryan was almost 2 years old and Deaf. I was, again, dependent on “The Master Dot-Connector” to help me with every decision. I was completely clueless about deafness and needed The Lord’s guidance.
Through much research and prayer, Ron and I chose to teach Ryan sign language. We were exploring hearing aid options but Ryan was 2-years old with NO language. He was exhibiting extreme frustration and tantrums because we could not communicate with him and vice versa. Thankfully, God connected us to our local school district’s “Parent-Infant Hearing Impaired Program.”
This program provided sign language therapy for infants from birth to 3 years of age. We were assign a Deaf Education teacher named Kathy. She came to our home 3 days a week to teach Ryan, and myself sign language. Then, I would teach my husband what we had learned in the evening.
Kathy was an amazing blessing to my life. I would watch intently as she would teach Ryan different signs. As she was teaching, she would explain to me her methodology and how I would implement this with Ryan through our homework assignments.
Ryan was a quick learner and took to signing like a fish to water. However, he was a very determined and strong-willed little boy. One day while Kathy was there, Ryan decided to have a melt-down. Kathy watched as I tried to, ineptly, discipline him. She could sense my frustration and asked if she could share some insight…I welcomed the help!
Kathy explained that in sign language, facial expressions and body language are just as important as the sign itself. While I was signing, “no, wrong behavior,” my facial expressions were not showing Ryan that I was upset with him. She went on to explain that I was smiling while telling him “no.” I had no idea I was doing that. Ryan was just so darn cute, he made me smile even when he was being cantankerous.
Then, I watched Kathy tell Ryan “no” in sign language with a facial expression that showed she meant business. Ryan immediately settled down.
Oh my GOODNESS…this precious women had just changed my life! She had shared the secret sauce of “signing discipline.” Â I felt silly at first, but I started signing with facial expressions that matched the signs and emotion I was trying to convey. Ryan was learning when mommy was happy AND when she was not so happy with his behavior. Life Changing!!!!! Hallelujah! I was beginning to feel like maybe I could do this sign language thing with Ryan.
At first the diagnosis of Ryan being profoundly Deaf and the daunting list of decisions we needed to make were quite overwhelming to say the least. As I shared yesterday, Â I almost let it paralyze my Faith Journey. But gently, taking one day at a time, I was heading down my “better” path a little stronger each day…with Jesus guidance.
- Read 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Write verse 13 in your own words:
Even when we are faithless He is faithful. That’s his character. He cannot disown Himself (verse 13-in my own words). Jesus is our enduring strength for the journey.
In the New Testament, NIV translation, the word faith is used 458 times. I think that means it’s pretty important, wouldn’t you?!
Maybe you needed a reminder today that He is faithful even when we are faithless, lack faith, or are facing a crisis of faith. We need to understand, Jesus is not impressed with our ability to have faith in our faith…to talk the talk but not walk the walk. That’s false faith. Our faith is not established in our pretending to be faithful. Our actions should be an overflow of genuine faith and trust in the only One who is called Faithful. If you lack faith…ask Him for it.
Pray and seek the Lord today with what’s on your plate. Ask him to continually remind you of His faithfulness…one-day-one-decision-at-a-time. Faith is a journey not a race. Slow and steady…
Thank you to those that have shared your struggles both publicly by comment or privately by email. I am humbled that you would take this Faith Journey and are finding benefit and comfort through His Word and my God-story.
Praying with and for you, sweet one. Keep up the great work!
 Look at that sweet face! Now can you understand why not smiling while disciplining was hard at first? LOL!
