Article from jasonkwek.com
Recently, a friend whom I just got to know gave birth to a baby with down syndrome(DS) and asked me this: do you know why God gave us a child with down syndrome when some had typical children ? The question got me dumfounded when I am usually so cheerful and very encouraging I did not really answered her on the spot but wriggled my way out with a joke
It got me thinking and jolted one of my many questions during these 7 years of raising Christian. The only question that still lingers on, is why me???? But, the practical side of me instructed me to move on.
Over the years of waiting upon the Lord, I had some thoughts to these questions and only when somebody recently asked such a question again, had propelled me to organise and pen down my thoughts .
Firstly, God gave us Christian so that others and we can see how Christian will grow amazingly under His unconditional love. This was an amazing revelation. Being imperfect, I can never imagine how this is ever possible with the information about down syndrome and how man sees down syndrome However, with the Sovereign and Almighty Father; with man, this is impossible but not with God; all things are possible as stated in Mark 10:27(NIV) .
With entirely zero parenting experience and bagged with disappointment, we learn to rely purely on the abundant grace of God and continually to apply His love for us which brings me to a verse that has continuously encourage us; I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me Phi:13. And holding on to the belief good things will arise from raising Christian( which seem to be such an impossible task for us) as supported by Romans .all things God works the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose Roman 8:28(NIV) Surprisingly, we found ourselves to be more patient (good for us as individuals too!) and that our love for Christian abound more and more in knowledge that gradually helped us to cruise through each passing year now that he is seven years old. I have come to learn that he is such a joy to be with and we, including the entire extended family who were sceptical of him initially.
In the hands of our Sovereign Lord, We witness how Christian not only grew, but flourished gloriously to be a handsome young boy who is crazy about soccer and he is good at it( given his poor muscle tone) , when we were worried if he could ever run. He has a mind of his own and does not hesitate to speak if you grant him audience. Moreover, he is also playing piano with more confidence each passing day(given his poor hands and eye co-ordination), when we were apprehensive if he could recognise those musical notes. He is also getting more independent and is extremely eager to do things all by himself. Now that he is taller, he would tiptoe to reach for the house keys to open door for his dad (good way to strengthen his calf muscles) whenever he comes back from work. With better hands and eyes coordination as well as gross and fine muscles worked out, he is now more willing to take risks. Recently, I was very encouraged to see him serving in the church choir singing with his fellow brother and sisters, and he is progressing with more confidence. I was even more touched when he asked:God likes my singing? Tears rolled down to my cheeks, he actually knows he who is singing to? I rejoice that my son is also eager to please God too just like any ordinary church going kid. What more can I ask from a parent who has a child with specials needs and a down syndrome one. I am indeed filled with awe of what God is doing in his life.
As I reflect over his God given achievement, it dawn upon me that if only more of us are willing to accept and experience this unconditional love from our heavenly father, regardless of our sufferings and sin, our lives will be full and abundant as Jesus promised in John 10:9-11(NIV)
I am the gate; whoever enter through me will be saved. He will come in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, have it to the full.
I pray fervently, this little boy of mine will enter into a personal relationship with his heavenly father, who had formed him in my womb without me knowing his presence. And, allow him to live life to the fullest despite of any limitation set by his genetic code.
We also believe that God gave Christian to us so that both Sc and I can experience his perfecting work in us as we humbly rely on Him
Every woman would like to be conceived and eventually give birth to a healthy child. However, when I gave birth to Christian, I was wrapped up with a great sense of being abandoned and failure. Psalm 22 verse 1 of King David :My God , my God why have you forsaken me? . seem to be so real at the particular stage of my life. What happen to my child, God, what did I do to deserved such great punishment from you and the punishment had to befall on my son .My child had been fearfully formed by the Lord to such a baby, whom the world labelled as sub-normal. I could not face crowds for couple of months. Nevertheless, through Christians progress and development, the incident in fact, should never make me into an unlovable or a thorough failure but God made me feel even more special or awesome. He had loved me and will love me even more that I can ever imagine. Through Christian He showed me how deep, how long, how wide, unfathomable His love for me is, what I have done to deserve such an incomparable love. Now, the joy of the and about God is the strength of my heart despite of uncertainties occasionally scampering into my mind.
Through the years, many, who had seen Christian, are always full of praise of him or me. But, I can only say it is the invisible hand of my heavenly father, I am so proud of Him, as Paul was proud of what God was doing in his ministry, he said in 2 Corinthians 10:17(NIV); Let him who boast, boast in the Lord. Sometimes, I am glad Christian has been labelled downs syndrome so that I am kept away from being conceited about raising such a child because I know I did not raise him but God did and will continue to do so!
SC grew significantly; first he had to cope with fatherhood then, particularly a father to a child with special needs. He loves Christian dearly and would also be very patient to him when he is already a man with great patience. He will always spend as much time as he can and to best he knows. He also attends workshops about fathering children with special needs. Whenever he is at home, he will participate in our home therapies. He has also become more expressive in his emotions because of Christian. He is always so steadfast about Christian progress and future, believing that Christian can achieve many things too. I believe God has given Christian an awesome daddy too.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are beautiful .Paslm 139:14(NIV) . A verse that we are so familiar, but how applicable it is to any ordinary man out there? It became alive and enlightening with the arrival of Christian. With Christian, I came to fully comprehend how intricately we are made- the inter-connectedness of our muscles along with our brains, something a healthy typical person may never realise, until one is deprived of the normal function of a part of ones body. Accordingly, with every success granted, I give thanks to my loving father above. Similarly, with every failure allowed, I will give thanks for Christians motivation and perseverance which has been more spontaneous and sustainable as he matures.
Mattew 18:10(NIV); See that you do not look down on these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always the face of my Father in heaven.
Perhaps, what has happen to me served to confirm that faith can be tested, and that this testing of faith develops perseverance to complete the work He started in my life. Throughout the years, I have adopted the let go and let God motto everyday and every corner of my life. Besides, I am also more willing to accept imperfections, interruptions, spontaneity and any adjustment in life when the need arise. After all, everything changes except the faithfulness of God. And, we have a trustworthy God whom we can depend on to steer and ride on the storms of changes in life. I am filled with thanksgiving for a relationship with God, and it is this good God who prompts, prevents, provides and protects me during this journey. Finally, I would like to re-affirm James 1:17 (NIV); every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Recently, a friend whom I just got to know gave birth to a baby with down syndrome(DS) and asked me this: do you know why God gave us a child with down syndrome when some had typical children ? The question got me dumfounded when I am usually so cheerful and very encouraging I did not really answered her on the spot but wriggled my way out with a joke
It got me thinking and jolted one of my many questions during these 7 years of raising Christian. The only question that still lingers on, is why me???? But, the practical side of me instructed me to move on.
Over the years of waiting upon the Lord, I had some thoughts to these questions and only when somebody recently asked such a question again, had propelled me to organise and pen down my thoughts .
Firstly, God gave us Christian so that others and we can see how Christian will grow amazingly under His unconditional love. This was an amazing revelation. Being imperfect, I can never imagine how this is ever possible with the information about down syndrome and how man sees down syndrome However, with the Sovereign and Almighty Father; with man, this is impossible but not with God; all things are possible as stated in Mark 10:27(NIV) .
With entirely zero parenting experience and bagged with disappointment, we learn to rely purely on the abundant grace of God and continually to apply His love for us which brings me to a verse that has continuously encourage us; I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me Phi:13. And holding on to the belief good things will arise from raising Christian( which seem to be such an impossible task for us) as supported by Romans .all things God works the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose Roman 8:28(NIV) Surprisingly, we found ourselves to be more patient (good for us as individuals too!) and that our love for Christian abound more and more in knowledge that gradually helped us to cruise through each passing year now that he is seven years old. I have come to learn that he is such a joy to be with and we, including the entire extended family who were sceptical of him initially.
In the hands of our Sovereign Lord, We witness how Christian not only grew, but flourished gloriously to be a handsome young boy who is crazy about soccer and he is good at it( given his poor muscle tone) , when we were worried if he could ever run. He has a mind of his own and does not hesitate to speak if you grant him audience. Moreover, he is also playing piano with more confidence each passing day(given his poor hands and eye co-ordination), when we were apprehensive if he could recognise those musical notes. He is also getting more independent and is extremely eager to do things all by himself. Now that he is taller, he would tiptoe to reach for the house keys to open door for his dad (good way to strengthen his calf muscles) whenever he comes back from work. With better hands and eyes coordination as well as gross and fine muscles worked out, he is now more willing to take risks. Recently, I was very encouraged to see him serving in the church choir singing with his fellow brother and sisters, and he is progressing with more confidence. I was even more touched when he asked:God likes my singing? Tears rolled down to my cheeks, he actually knows he who is singing to? I rejoice that my son is also eager to please God too just like any ordinary church going kid. What more can I ask from a parent who has a child with specials needs and a down syndrome one. I am indeed filled with awe of what God is doing in his life.
As I reflect over his God given achievement, it dawn upon me that if only more of us are willing to accept and experience this unconditional love from our heavenly father, regardless of our sufferings and sin, our lives will be full and abundant as Jesus promised in John 10:9-11(NIV)
I am the gate; whoever enter through me will be saved. He will come in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, have it to the full.
I pray fervently, this little boy of mine will enter into a personal relationship with his heavenly father, who had formed him in my womb without me knowing his presence. And, allow him to live life to the fullest despite of any limitation set by his genetic code.
We also believe that God gave Christian to us so that both Sc and I can experience his perfecting work in us as we humbly rely on Him
Every woman would like to be conceived and eventually give birth to a healthy child. However, when I gave birth to Christian, I was wrapped up with a great sense of being abandoned and failure. Psalm 22 verse 1 of King David :My God , my God why have you forsaken me? . seem to be so real at the particular stage of my life. What happen to my child, God, what did I do to deserved such great punishment from you and the punishment had to befall on my son .My child had been fearfully formed by the Lord to such a baby, whom the world labelled as sub-normal. I could not face crowds for couple of months. Nevertheless, through Christians progress and development, the incident in fact, should never make me into an unlovable or a thorough failure but God made me feel even more special or awesome. He had loved me and will love me even more that I can ever imagine. Through Christian He showed me how deep, how long, how wide, unfathomable His love for me is, what I have done to deserve such an incomparable love. Now, the joy of the and about God is the strength of my heart despite of uncertainties occasionally scampering into my mind.
Through the years, many, who had seen Christian, are always full of praise of him or me. But, I can only say it is the invisible hand of my heavenly father, I am so proud of Him, as Paul was proud of what God was doing in his ministry, he said in 2 Corinthians 10:17(NIV); Let him who boast, boast in the Lord. Sometimes, I am glad Christian has been labelled downs syndrome so that I am kept away from being conceited about raising such a child because I know I did not raise him but God did and will continue to do so!
SC grew significantly; first he had to cope with fatherhood then, particularly a father to a child with special needs. He loves Christian dearly and would also be very patient to him when he is already a man with great patience. He will always spend as much time as he can and to best he knows. He also attends workshops about fathering children with special needs. Whenever he is at home, he will participate in our home therapies. He has also become more expressive in his emotions because of Christian. He is always so steadfast about Christian progress and future, believing that Christian can achieve many things too. I believe God has given Christian an awesome daddy too.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are beautiful .Paslm 139:14(NIV) . A verse that we are so familiar, but how applicable it is to any ordinary man out there? It became alive and enlightening with the arrival of Christian. With Christian, I came to fully comprehend how intricately we are made- the inter-connectedness of our muscles along with our brains, something a healthy typical person may never realise, until one is deprived of the normal function of a part of ones body. Accordingly, with every success granted, I give thanks to my loving father above. Similarly, with every failure allowed, I will give thanks for Christians motivation and perseverance which has been more spontaneous and sustainable as he matures.
Mattew 18:10(NIV); See that you do not look down on these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always the face of my Father in heaven.
Perhaps, what has happen to me served to confirm that faith can be tested, and that this testing of faith develops perseverance to complete the work He started in my life. Throughout the years, I have adopted the let go and let God motto everyday and every corner of my life. Besides, I am also more willing to accept imperfections, interruptions, spontaneity and any adjustment in life when the need arise. After all, everything changes except the faithfulness of God. And, we have a trustworthy God whom we can depend on to steer and ride on the storms of changes in life. I am filled with thanksgiving for a relationship with God, and it is this good God who prompts, prevents, provides and protects me during this journey. Finally, I would like to re-affirm James 1:17 (NIV); every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
