Weekly devotion: Loving others without limits
BLESS, Egypt
Volunteers and children at BLESS’s autism project (March 2022).
In Egypt, there is a lack of awareness about autism. Many autistic children and their families struggle to find support and be accepted in society.
Sadly, many children with autism end up leasing isolated lives. Lack of awareness and social stigma means that children are often shunned by their communities. The hustle and bustle of busy city streets and markets can be overwhelming for children with sensory challenges.
Fearing for their children’s safety, or the negative reactions of other people, families of children with autism often keep them at home. This means that children who already find social interaction difficult have few opportunities to become comfortable in social situations.
Embrace partner, BLESS, is working to challenge this by offering specialist treatment and support for families, including summer camps, trips and parent training workshops. They also campaign for better awareness of autism in society and help children with autism to integrate into their communities.
Bible reading
‘We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.’
1 John 4: 19-21
Thought
God’s love knows no limits. These verses remind us that experiencing God’s love changes us from within. God’s love is not something that can be neatly contained within our own hearts; it is something that overflows from us, characterising our relationships with other people. Christian love lifts up the marginalised and the forgotten, and we see a beautiful example of this in BLESS’s work.
Ask yourself: What would it look like to love without limits? How would it change our relationships?
Prayer
Loving God,
We thank you that BLESS is such a blessing to so many people across Egypt. Today, we lift up their vital work with children with autism. Thank you that each child they work with is known and loved by you. May these children and their families flourish.
We pray against negative attitudes towards autism in Egyptian communities. Prosper BLESS’s efforts to educate people about the condition, and we pray for greater acceptance and inclusion in Egyptian society.
As we rejoice in your love, we ask that you would continue to change us from within. Help your love to overflow from our own hearts and to bless other people.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Embracing autism in Egypt
On the blog: Hear directly from three Egyptian mums with autistic children, who have found support through BLESS.
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