What a Show Off

 I chose the photo myself because I just love it.  I’m referring to the one on Page 47 of First Conversation.  It shows a young child with Down syndrome in a t-shirt that reads:  “When God made me, He was just showing off”

There’s more to the story.   In 2004, the photo was featured in Bethesda’s flagship newsletter,  Messenger.  We received a letter (still in my collection) from one of our readers who was not impressed with the image.  She wrote, “Showing off is a human trait. Some might even consider it a sin.  Why is such a human trait attributed to God? Our God is not one of the Greek and Roman gods who at times were ‘show offs’.”

OK, I admit it.  I hadn’t considered that.  Not even a little. 

Sadly, we live in a world in which people with developmental disabilities are at the mercy of inadequate education, healthcare, housing and employment.  Many are openly discriminated against.  In short, their value as complete human beings, created and redeemed by a loving God, is not universally acknowledged.

Granted, it’s just a t-shirt, but the sentence declares an important truth: The magnificent creative beauty of God’s handiwork is displayed (‘shown off’, if you will) in people with developmental disabilities, just as it is in all of us.  In fact, it affirms exactly what the Psalm writer said about God’s creation of humankind (including those with disabilities):  “You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet” (Psalm 8).

God of creative brilliance beyond reason, may You choose to be a ‘show off’ in our lives today!

David Morstad

Welcome to the Conversation

I relate this story in the introduction to the book, but it bears repeating.  Following a presentation on developmental disability ministry to a group of Lutheran seminary students, one young man stayed behind to courageously share what is arguably a common self-assessment. “To be honest,” he confessed, “I feel better prepared to talk to parents whose child has just died than to talk to parents who have just learned their child has a disability.” It was a shockingly blunt observation but such is the strength of emotion that is often tied into the issue. He added, “I simply have no idea how to have that first conversation.” 

So began this project.  You can click on the “About First Conversation” link above to obtain a copy of the book.  I hope you read it and I hope you consider journaling some of your own thoughts as the format of the book suggests.  Also, I’d be honored if you’d consider continuing the conversation here. 

First Conversation offers both highs and lows in the lives of people with disabilities and those who love them.  One observation in the book always catches my attention, perhaps because I know the people involved.  Megan describes her sister Jenny, a young woman with Down syndrome,  in this way:  “She now works at a fast food restaurant, has an iPod and has a boyfriend”.  It may seem like a small thing, but I’ve raised two daughters of my own and it’s hard to imagine a more important (and quintessentially average) trilogy for an early-20-something than a job, iPod and boyfriend.  Would that Jenny could sit in on every pastor’s First Conversation.

David Morstad