Luke 5:4-10,27 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.”

Simon answered him, “Master, we worked hard all through the night and caught nothing. But at your word I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets were about to tear apart. They signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, because I am a sinful man, Lord.” For Peter and all those with him were amazed at the number of fish they had caught, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.

Jesus said to Simon, “Have no fear. From now on you will be catching people.”

After these things, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at the tax collector’s booth. He said to him, “Follow me.” (EHV)

If you were Lord of the Universe, and you came to earth and started gathering followers, whom would you pick?

• Maybe some learned scholars who would be able to understand the fine points of your teachings?
• Or maybe some eloquent actors who could use wonderful words to relate what you say to others?
• Or maybe some fishermen, whose hands are rough from handling nets, and while intelligent enough to know their trade, may not have had a lot of “book learning”?

What? You wouldn't have chosen that last group? Well, how about a tax collector, someone from a societal class that was among the lowest of the low, renowned for cheating people? Not him, either? That's the answer I would expect.

But Jesus often did the unexpected, including choosing unexpected people to form his “inner circle” of 12 disciples. He saw in them potential for service that might have gone unnoticed to many other eyes. Peter, one of those fishermen, would end up becoming one of the leaders of the early New Testament Church. Levi, also known as Matthew, would record one of the Gospel books, read by untold number of people over the ages. Jesus chose his disciples for certain tasks, and he trained and enabled them to accomplish those tasks.

How about you? If you are reading this, chances are that Jesus has chosen you to take care of a child with extraordinary challenges. But you might object: “I'm not that learned. I haven't gone to medical school.” “I haven't had years of counseling training to help a child who has experienced a lot of trauma.” “I don’t know how I’m supposed to raise a child who (fill in the blank for whatever the specific challenges your child is facing).”

It is said that God equips those he calls. As the Apostle Paul (another “unexpected” leader of the church he had once persecuted) wrote, “God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will overflow in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

God can make sure that you have all that you need, even if not all that you want. Information abounds in so many places today! Resources for a variety of services are available through different government and private agencies. Encouragement can (hopefully) be found through family and fellow Christians that God has placed in your life.

Do you sometimes feel like a fisherman out of water? Keep turning to Jesus, who was with his people in the past and will continue to be with you.

Dear Jesus, sometimes I feel so out of my league as a parent! Give me the tools and information I need to take care of my child, as well as the patience to help them through the extraordinary challenges they face. You have placed me into this role in their life; I'm counting on you to keep your promise to help me. I place my trust in you in this and all things. Amen.

by Paul Mose