RISING ABOVE Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D

What would you rather be? A chicken or an eagle? Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

First plane ride on a stormy day… Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

All too often I live below the clouds. I get caught up in the storms of life and lose perspective.

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. I get anxious, fearful and negative. I lose my God’s-in-control eternal perspective.

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. When we live below, we get caught up in the immediate & forget the important. We have limited vision, we lose sight of possibilities, potential and God’s perspective.

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. We need to rise above storms & stress, details & To Dos, circumstances & concerns, problems & preoccupations, pressure & paperwork, discouragement & disappointment And get a God-view of life.

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. If we don’t keep a God-given perspective, then we run the risk of: *burning out *limiting God &/or *becoming discouraged.

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. It is important that we keep a God-given perspective, for ourselves, but more importantly,

We must maintain perspective so that the children can gain perspective. If we’re living below the clouds, how can we encouraged the kids to live above the clouds? Keypoint:

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. “You can’t see it from there.”

So he lifted his son up and gave him – a FATHER’s view Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

Abused children have a limited view. They don’t always see the possibilities and the promise – just the pain and the past.

They need the FATHER’s view… and God uses us to help them! Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

The SAD Boy Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. “I thought I was being moved again, to another group home.”

In RFKC we help the children to rise above their negative circumstances and see the Father’s perspective… Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

To see themselves as GOD sees them.

To see themselves as precious and beloved children of God Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

At RFKC we help the children to dream, imagine, create, play, pretend,… to see the possibilities and their potential,… to have fun amidst their storm- filled lives. Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

We must maintain a God-perspective so that we can help the children gain a God-perspective.

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. The children are often stuck below in the storm of life and we’re the ones who get to help lift them up to see God’s perspective on their lives.

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. The children need to: See possibilities and not just problems See hope and healing, and not just hurt See a future, not just failures See potential, not just a painful past See restoration and redemption, not ruin

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. Our job is to keep perspective… To remember WHY WE ARE HERE, To deal with BURNOUT, So that we can RISE ABOVE the mundane and maintain God’s view – not just for ourselves, but for the children.

Mephibosheth Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. 2 Samuel 4:4 “Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came that (his grandfather, King) Saul and (his father) Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.”

Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1- 11) Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. “There is still a son of Jonathan, he is crippled in both feet” So King David had him brought (to him). King David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake? ”

Mephibosheth Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. “Who am I that you should notice a dead dog like me?” King David said, “Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness… I will restore to you all… and you will always eat at my table. ” Two responses

Many of the RFKC children think and feel the same: broken, abandoned, orphaned, displaced, suffering, overcome with low self-esteem. Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

Mephibosheth Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. God uses us to be messengers to the children telling them that they can dine with the King of Kings. “So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.” 2 Samuel 9:11

What would you rather be? A chicken or an eagle? Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. What are we more like?

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

Table Discussion Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. 1.How can we maintain the Father’s above-the- clouds perspective? 1.What specific activities can we do to help the children gain the Father’s perspective?

RISING ABOVE Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D

RFKC Examples Bucket Ride; Mountain top view; Boat Ride;… Princess Salon; Fantasy Corner (Dress-up);…

RISING ABOVE Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D