His dad loved him just the way he was.
I waited in line behind a man and his son at my local café. The man was middle-aged and fairly rugged; his son had Down Syndrome. The son was a teenager, with bright eyes and excitement on his face. Dad was getting him hot chocolate with whipped cream. As the two were waiting for the barista to hand them their drinks, dad reached out his arm and placed his hand on the back of his son’s hair. Dad folded his fingers into his son’s hair and said, “Hey, beautiful…” Both puzzled and innocent, the son answered simply, “What?” Staring deeply into his son’s face, dad said, “I love you.”
Unconditional love. This boy met few of the normal conditions we place on our children. He’d never be a great athlete. He’d never get the best grades. He’d never be savvy or beautiful in the world’s eyes. He’d probably live at home for quite a long time. He was most likely demanding, especially as a baby. He probably had his share of idiosyncrasies that tested the nerves of his family. He was probably messy.
But his dad loved him. His dad did not label him as a burden, but as beautiful. His dad loved him just the way he was—I could see that plainly.
Our souls have more than “spiritual disability” before our Father God. Truth be told, they are dead before God. Yet our Father finds a way to love us anyway. Picture God raising his hand to your head and sifting your hair between his fingers. He looks into your eyes—knowing full well what you are—and says, “Hey, beautiful…I love you.”
That is enough to melt my heart in joy. May you know that God has no conditions that he wants you to meet to earn his love. He is in love with you just how you are. May God’s love give you security in the midst of life today.
© 2010 by Samuel Kee
Sam – Long time no see since MEFC. I hope you and your family are doing well. We do miss you. Thank you for this beautiful post. After you left MEFC, Amber’s brother was diagnosed with a brain tumor (in 2008 at 24 years old), which was cancer, and consequently had surgery and lost his eyesight because of pressure from brain fluid – it’s been a long haul (cancer is gone through surgery and chemo/radiation, but he is legally blind). Thank you for reminding me to let him know that I love him despite the difficulties and disability – and my impatience – and thank you for reminding me that God loves me despite my difficulties and disabilities.
Ginny! So good to hear from you. I am so sorry to hear about this! What a trial you have been through. I am so glad that the cancer is now gone, but sad to hear that he lost his eye sight. I will pray for courage for all of you.
I hate labels, God forgive such a strong word. I prefer fearfully and wonderfully made for God’s good purpose as I suspect this post resonates: The redemption in ability, that comes alone from God. the “Purity,” in fallen humanity, the glimpses of glory, praise God, on Earth, speaks volumes to both my human and redeeming character. In weakness is great humble strength, the glorious kind; not some false, “I did this,” kind, but, instead, the Real deal. I suppose this sweet fella was a bit a teacher to his earthly dad as our Heavenly Father is to us all in the circumstances and people he allows in and out of season into “our,” lives. I can’t help but wonder? Maybe I’m crazy but I think the “disses,” are really redemptive work in progress perspectives. God’s purposes prevail.
I hate labels, too! I agree, we are fearfully and wonderfully made–just the way that God wants us, for his purposes, not just ours. Thanks for your words, Meg.