This weekend, my kids sang a song with our church praise band called “Grace Wins” by Matthew West. It’s a powerful song about redemption and the transformative power of grace, exploring themes of struggle, hope, and forgiveness.

The lyrics express that, no matter how difficult the battle may seem, grace ultimately triumphs over shame, guilt, and past mistakes. It emphasizes that everyone has the opportunity for a fresh start and that grace provides strength in overcoming life’s challenges.

I love the word grace. I appreciate its biblical definition and its meaning in the Presbyterian church.

So, what does this have to do with inclusion?

The journey of inclusion is a struggle. It’s hard and messy for the student, the family, educators, and everyone involved. It’s right and beautiful, with many rewards, but it’s not easy.

Inclusion is fueled by genuine hope and the belief in what is possible, allowing us to dream of what might be when we presume competence.

The path to inclusion must be paved with grace. None of us are perfect. I have lost count of the times someone has not presumed competence, been unwelcoming to my child, failed to prepare, neglected his IEP, or didn’t provide his accommodations. I’m not suggesting this behavior is acceptable, but over the past 15 years, I have been steadfast in my advocacy and have found that grace also wins. When you allow for collaboration and extend grace, you might be surprised by what you receive in return.

I often write about faith communities and disability. It’s a challenging topic because, for many, it’s a struggle that shouldn’t exist. I’m currently working on initiatives that I hope will improve inclusion in this area. I’m grateful to be part of a faith community where my children feel authentic belonging and where they can learn about how grace wins.

This serves as a powerful reminder of the true impact of this notion on our important work for inclusion.