A Touching Scene—An Important Principle

Yesterday, Nancy and I saw a heart-touching scene in a church we attend in the inner-city slums of Cleveland. A mother and her 14-year-old Down’s Syndrome son were worshipping with us.  The boy was trying to hold up his hands in worship while a song was being sung. He did the best he could to sing the song; but he could not get the words right. Finally, fatigue got the best of him; and he lowered his hands, placed his head on his mother’s shoulder and put his arms around her waist.

When the song ended, she put her arms around him and kissed him.

There are many people who would abort a baby if they find out that he has Down’s Syndrome. That is a grave mistake. Down’s children are loving, affectionate, kind, and generous. They are an inspiration to parents who will consider loving them in return. Of course, they will never become a CEO of the Bank of America; but…Down’s children have their own contribution to make. For one thing, they bring out the very best of characteristics in their parents, i.e., love, consideration, and kindness—these characteristics are also distributed to brothers and sisters who help with their care.

God’s strength is demonstrated in weakness. “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” (1 Corinthians 1:27-31)