And yet, and yet…

I took the above picture a couple of weeks ago as I was with my boy up in the office of our church. He is a sweet kid that genuinely loves being around and with people. He brings the party. I thought the scene above was poignant.

But as we are in Down’s Syndrome Awareness Month, the picture brought my spirit to pause for the greater truth it spoke toward. I saw in the way my boy looked down at the crowd one of the greatest needs for those in the special needs communities: belonging.

So often in our world, we strive to gather around ourselves people who are just like us. Same likes, dislikes, skill sets, politics, socioeconomic class, ability. We find comfort in groups that don’t challenge us, but rather that emphasize sameness. And in those cultures, people like my son have been left looking in from the outside.

With Down’s Syndrome, my son has an extra chromosome which brings some difficulties for him and some delays. But he is still a little boy who loves cars (especially when they’re drifting), laughter, music, and people. And in our church family, we are blessed that he is more than accepted; he is cherished, he is loved, and he is empowered in the grace of Christ.

And yet I know that his experience is not the norm. I know that there are thousands that for whatever reason stand at the glass, on the outside looking in.

Friend, do you know that those who are weaker than us, those who are different from us, those that face different struggles from us, do you know they make you better? In the mosaic of this life, they fit in with you to bring beautiful variety and grace. You are not complete unless you create community with those who challenge you.

So in your life, my ask is simple: keep your eyes open. When you see people who are different from you, and maybe a person with special needs, stop and be kind to them. Ask the Lord what they can teach you about the depths of his love. Seek to learn from them, to engage with them, to laugh with them, to grow with them.

It may be Jesus’ light through them that illuminates your darkness.

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