Those God Holds Precious
In my Heartlight.org article today, Coming Down in the Wrong Place, I share how a plane landing in the wrong place, miles away from where it was supposed to touch down. This scary mistake reminds me that we often do this with the way we value and devalue others.
One place this sure seems to be true is the way we view and value those with Down Syndrome. While sometimes saying we appreciate the loving and guileless lifestyle of Down Syndrome children, the way speak about them is often condescending. Instead of recognizing the qualities Jesus emphasizes as traits that God values, we often view these precious souls as less than “normal people” — like they are damaged in some way. Yet many of the qualities Jesus demands in His followers are often best demonstrated by many our society identifies with Down Syndrome. It’s almost as if the more we stress politically correct speech, the less we actually value people who are different from us.
In several Scandinavian countries, Down Syndrome people were once regarded as angels. What if we viewed them this way today? What if we all recognized that each of us were damaged in some ways because of our fallen world, yet each of us has something to learn from those around us … and they have something to learn from us?
What can we do as believers to make our church communities a place of safety where these children and adults are valued?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
2 Chronicles 7:14-14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. This might be a good place to start.
What people dont know about they are afraid of or judge. Meaning if you dont have a family member or relative who has Downs Syndome you dont know how to comunicate, listen long enough to understand . Like anyone who is different from me, if you talk the time to find out who they are, then you wont be misinformend. Its easier to make fun be afraid or judge anyone who is different fome ourselves. It is like Christ to deny yourself and give attention and interest and love to anyone society rejects because of a handicap, different religion, color, ideas.
Treaty others like Christ did, means denying yourself and putting other before your comfort, putting them in a place of respect, honor before our fears, or unglodly opinions. Spending time to find out about what one doesn’t know, giving your time to others to find out about what interests them. If you make them a friend then you wont be afraid. When people look at the outside of a person and judge because of differences they will miss the mark every time. Its peoples hearts that are important, not the package the heart comes in. Be open to make a new friend, to be kind, by just looking them ( anyone whom we dont know, that are different than us) in the eyes and saying hi, instead of stareing or putting your head down and walking by them.
Jesus would take the time to love on them, arent we carring Jesus to the world? Getting alone with Jesus, spending time with HIM so we can reflect Him to all we meet is the answer.
‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:40
Jo-Ann
2 Jun 08 at 4:49 am
Phil, you are so right in talking about our general failure to value those who might be different, and angels do walk among us.
My daughter is an angel, although she does not have down syndrome, she is obviously not “average.” When she became so ill that we almost lost her, I was not sure that I could survive the loss. Thank God it was not her time to cross over, because losing her would fill me with pain. I would miss so much.
My daughter rises and greets every morning with a smile. She never fails to tell me that I look beautiful, and that she loves me. Through every trial she is always a great encourager, and she has a way to make me smile no matter what. She helps me remember to take time to smell the flowers and at our house she is always in charge of celebration. She could find something good to celebrate almost every day.
At church she is a friend to more people than I can begin to even recognize, and she often brings her friends to meet me. My claim to fame is that I am her mother. She has been accepted and loved by so many people in our large church. She
loves the preachers, song leaders, and the elders. She loves the babies, the older people and everyone in between.
Thank God for those who are different in ways that remind us what is really important in this life.
Jerita
2 Jun 08 at 10:03 am
I heard recently on the radio that a college professor tells his students that when it is determined in the womb that the child there is a Down’s Syndrome baby, that it should be aborted. How disgusting and sinful this concept is. All life is valuable and these special children have the sunniest personalities I know! All life is sacred. “Suffer the little children to come unto me…for as such is the kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 19:14
Barb Leaman
2 Jun 08 at 2:14 pm
I love the thought that Downs Syndrome people were once regarded as angels in some countries. We had the priviledge some 15 years ago of adopting a 6 month-old downs baby boy (Billy) to the delight of our other 5 children. Ever since, he has brought so much sunshine and laughter into our lives. Moreover, his joy of life is infectious to all those around him. We refer to him as the ambassador from the Planet Downs, as he has a God-given talent of winning people over. He has taught us so much about what is really important, and we thank God that, although we are all made in His image, we are also all unique and special in His sight. We all have a special place in this world – and the next.
Keith Baker
2 Jun 08 at 10:11 pm
I lost my baby sister in 2004, she was in her 30s and had down syndrome. I remember how hard losing her was especially for my Mom and Dad. I still mis her. She was a character. She could ruffle my feathers when she was to out spoken and make me laugh so hard with her silly humor. She was one of Gods Angels. But at times I thought she was the devil..She could be so subborn. When she died I cried for a very long time, just thinking about how she suffered her last years. I did picture her going to heaven and getting a new body.. but that was because she had gotten so heavy and unhealthy though the years.. She used to be a shinny thing and had a cute personalty. She could barly walk her last years because of her weight from retaining water and eating all the wrong foods. When I dream about her, I dream of her with the same sweet face and crooked smile, but with a better thinner body and she is happy and healthy, running and playing with the other Angels. Downs syndrome kids are intelligent, my sister was.. just a lil slower to learn..but she did learn.. She had a memory better than most and could remember stories and pertend to read them to my kids.. My daughters thought the story snow white and the seven dwarfs was snow white and the 7 cousins for years until they started to school and learned to read.. Then my oldest taught my sister to read..
Sandie
4 Jun 08 at 3:44 pm
I am reminded of a book written in tribute to a brother born with Down Syndrome, “Onward, Crispy Shoulders!” by Mary Haakenson Perry, Homer Alaska. Jim was the oldest of 7 children and achieved so much more than the medical community said he would. When my family was young we would visit them in Anchor Point. My sons would play table games with Jim and always greeted him at Services. Jim often got words mixed up but he frequently sang, “Onward Christian Soldiers” while marching through the Alaska Wilderness. Jim was part of the Haakenson family for 56 years and loved by his church family at Anchor Point Church of Christ. As an adult he was the school janitor at the grammer school and set a great example for the students in valuing their school property. I am thankful that my sister sent me Mary’s book about her brother. In 2003 I attended his parents 60th wedding anniversary celebration. What remarkable Christian parents. This family will always hold a special place in my heart.
Saundra Perkins
21 Jun 08 at 8:23 am