As a follow up to Tuesday’s acknowledgment that “Something’s Wrong,” it doesn’t take long to get lured into focusing upon all that is wrong; it’s too heavy and too much. Hence, I am thankful when something shocks me out of it. For example…<\/p>\n
This past weekend we celebrated my youngest’s 16th birthday. It was sweet and celebratory, affirming and fun. But after three days of celebrating, this typically enthusiastic parent added “exhausted” to the list.<\/p>\n
The reason we celebrate for three days, no less, is because of who Josh is… because of how God made him… because we remember when he was born… and because of how incredible much we have learned both from<\/em> him and through<\/em> him. Two years ago, I wrote about Josh’s birthday. It is wise to read again…<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n A long standing premise of the Intramuralist is to consistently advocate for a focus on all that is good and true and right. In fact, one of our cultural challenges it seems, is that both individually and corporately, we spend so much energy and attention on that which is <\/span>not<\/strong> good and true and right\u2026 division\u2026 strife\u2026 evil\u2026 impurity\u2026 a lack of loyalty and\/or faithfulness, etc. Such takes up way too much of our time, minds, and airwaves.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n My now 14 year old son, Josh \u2014 that child born years ago with an extra special need, chromosome, and a wall missing in is heart \u2014 is one of the best, most effective ways God teaches me now in regard to all that is good and true and right.<\/p>\n As expected, no less, this joy-filled teen\u2019s birthday included music and dancing, cake and cookies, and multiple friends and family. He received many day-brightening gifts, calls, texts, and visits that made his heart so obviously overflow with thanks. (It made this parent even need a nap.)<\/em><\/p>\n Yet the moment that seemed most \u201cblog-worthy\u201d was seemingly small in comparison. It was just a singular sentence \u2014 a comment Josh made before the festivities were in full swing; yet it was a moment that is still making\u00a0me think\u2026<\/p>\n Standing outside briefly before the sunrise, in between our daily repertoire of song and dance preceding the much anticipated school bus arrival, Josh stopped his singing, pausing for a moment of thanks. He wanted to give God thanks for the celebration of the day\u00a0\u2014 and more.<\/p>\n And in the middle of that moment \u2014 in this conversation I felt deeply privileged to overhear \u2014 Josh stopped, leaned somewhat backwards, grinning from ear to ear, and pointing meekly to himself said:<\/p>\n \u201cAnd God, thanks for all this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Thanks for all this.<\/em><\/p>\n There was no focus on what some may see as missing. Thanks for all this.<\/em><\/p>\n Whatever is true\u2026 whatever is lovely\u2026 think about these things\u2026<\/p>\n Respectfully\u2026 As a follow up to Tuesday’s acknowledgment that “Something’s Wrong,” it doesn’t take long to get lured into focusing upon all that is wrong; it’s too heavy and too much. Hence, I am thankful when something shocks me out of it. For example… This past weekend we celebrated my youngest’s 16th birthday. It was sweet … <\/p>\n
\nThere was no ignoring of current circumstances.
\nThere was no dismissal of having Down syndrome.
\nThere was no wishing he was someone or something else.
\nThere was no desire to be any different.
\nThere was only a joy-laced expression of gratitude for who he is\u2026<\/p>\n
\nAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"