Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope

Shana: I'm Shana, with Joni Eareckson Tada Sharing Hope. Here's Joni with a special word. Happy spring, Joni!

Joni Eareckson Tada: Oh, thank you, Shana, and to you. May I return the greeting with Happy World Down Syndrome Day? That will be tomorrow, March 21st, the day we celebrate people with Down Syndrome. And Shana, that involves people like your daughter, Sarah.

Shana: That's right. World Down Syndrome Day is one of my favorite occasions of the whole year, Joni.

Joni Eareckson Tada: Oh, and mine too. I know it's held in March, the third month of the year, because a person who has Down Syndrome has three copies of chromosome 21 rather than only two like you and me. And because it's chromosome 21, it's a fit. So March 21st is the perfect day to celebrate.

Shana: I'll say. Now, usually on World Down Syndrome Day, we celebrate the uniqueness of people with Down Syndrome, but I suggest today we celebrate their sameness.

Joni Eareckson Tada: Oh, and I just bet you have a story that'll explain why.

Shana: You know I do. I'm thinking of the time just a few years ago I brought Sarah to the playground. I had a cup of coffee with me, Joni, and my plan was to relax on the park bench while Sarah played on the nearby swings.

But it did not take long before my thoughts were interrupted by a very cute little boy. He ran onto the playground and immediately noticed Sarah. So, of course, my eyes locked on the two of them, and, shame on me, Joni, but I started to get a little agitated because there are plenty of times when Sarah and I are with other children and they're just not very nice to her.

As I suspected, this boy started circling around Sarah, just studying her. I could feel that mama bear instinct start to rise up within me, but I stayed on the bench. I decided I would wait to see what happened next.

Joni Eareckson Tada: I can't wait to hear what happened next.

Shana: All right, well, to my surprise, that little guy ran over to me and asked, "What's wrong with her?" At first, I felt protective, but the Spirit quickly showed me this could be a teachable moment.

So, with God's grace I said, "You know what? There's nothing wrong with her. Her name is Sarah. She loves the swings, she loves the slide, and she loves to climb on the monkey bars. Do you?" He nodded his cute little head and then I said, "Sarah looks a little different than you, doesn't she?" Again, he nodded agreement, but I could tell already he was looking at Sarah with new eyes.

I said, "Well, the way I see it, the two of you have a whole lot more in common than you think." That sweet little boy paused and he said, "Cool." Joni, he ran back over to Sarah and asked her to go down the slide with him. For the next 20 minutes or so, they were playground besties.

Joni Eareckson Tada: Oh, I love this story, Shana, because Genesis chapter one tells us that we are all made in the image of God. No matter how many chromosomes we have. It is my delight to celebrate Sarah and all people with Down Syndrome for their uniqueness and their sameness today and all year long.

So, friend listening, we hope you'll join us. The next time you see someone with Down Syndrome, say hello, won't you? And let them know that you see them through God's eyes as fearfully and wonderfully made in His image.

Shana: And if you need some extra encouragement, just go to joniradio.org where you'll find all kinds of resources and inspiration. Remember, that's joniradio.org.