I got some sad news last month about a family I wrote about last year for Special Education Today.

Daniel Phillips was born with a severe form of cerebral palsy, unable to walk or talk, but he had a huge impact on his family and the people he came in contact with. One of his best features was his huge smile that would spread from ear to ear when he saw someone come into the room. God used his life and his family to minister to others and it was a real privilege to tell their story. After being permanently home bound and on hospice care the last couple of years, Daniel passed away in May. He was 14 when we did the story so I’m guessing he was 15 or very close to turning 15.

His parents, Denise and Scott, were so inspiring when I talked with them. Denise told me one of the verses that she has clung to since Daniel was born was Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.”

Denise said, “I remember that verse sticking out to me at one point because even though Daniel’s condition didn’t change–God chose not to change him–He gave us such joy. We can still find joy if we trust Him. We have definitely found that to be the case.”

I see that as an important reminder for anyone going through any kind of crisis – “we can still find joy if we trust Him.”

So many times we allow hard times or struggles to drain our joy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The Phillips are living proof that you can find joy in sorrow, happiness through challenge and trust that God is in control. Always.

I know Daniel is in heaven now, whole and healthy, and one thing has definitely not changed. He is smiling just as big as he did before.

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