Three Lessons from Laura

But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:7 NLT

My little friend Laura is just 1 1/2 years old. Because Laura is a Down’s Syndrome child some people have few expectations of her abilities but in her special way she has already taught me three of the most important lessons about faith.

As I sat with her at the church picnic she smiled bigger than any of us “normal” folks because she knows that only this moment counts. By her laughter she is pointing the way to the bottomless well of joy just resting in Jesus.

When Laura’s Mom or Dad come to pick her up she wiggles and snuggles deep into their arms. She doesn’t have to work up courage to go because she is confident that she can go anywhere in the world as long as she is with them.

When she waves her arms reaching out for what she needs she is not ashamed. Whether she is asking for her book a kiss or a cookie it is all the same. She is delighted to ask for anything trusting that her parent’s love is the guarantee she will receive.

Thanks Laura for the lessons and thank you Lord for sending her!

Inconvenient Love

Apathy is the glove into which evil slips its hand – Bodie Thoene

I just finished reading Munich Signature for the third time (over 10 years) and this phrase jumped off the page to me. What she wrote about Hitler’s rise to power could just as well apply today in a world that seems intent on eliminating inconvenient people just as the Third Reich tried to eliminate the Jews. Only today it is found where unwanted elderly are herded into institutions and downs syndrome children are eliminated before birth. Uncomfortable opinions about the Bible are criminalized and Christians get welcomed out of virtually all public venues. Easy is just doing nothing or saying anything that might interrupt our nice sweet smooth lifestyle. But then God never called us to easy. He called us to love as Jesus did! And how did Jesus love? The answer is in the shape of a cross…

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40 ESV

50 Mums – 50 Kids

In honor of our dear little friend Laura (now 6 months old) and all the children and families whom we remember on World Down Syndrome day (Odd Socks Day) March 21, 2018 I am posting this sweet video. A family, a city and a nation defines itself not by how much money it has in the banks or how impressed others are by their beauty or abilities but rather by how its most vulnerable members are valued and loved. Odd Socks Day is a fun way to remind others of this concept by wearing mismatched socks tomorrow. Anyone care to join me in offending the fashion police? Blessings!!

 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40