1. Because it’s my purpose.
A few things happened when our story spread over social
media this past summer. First off, I got
pretty sick of myself! I’m a homeschool
mom, Sunday school teacher, and girl’s youth leader. It’s my sole responsibility to put Christ in
the center my life and the lives of those I teach. The spotlight is hot for a reason - we shouldn't get too comfortable. However, the
most important lesson I learned from that time is that God has given me an
amazing purpose in this world. His plan
is so much greater than anything I could have imagined. The tragic truth is that babies are dying by
the thousands every day. Horrifically,
inhumanely, meaninglessly – Dying. If
our story or video speaks to one momma, and saves one life, then of course it
was worth it. It will always be worth
it. So I’ll keep on.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,
plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
2. Because I know who cares and who doesn’t.
This is a fortunate and unfortunate by-product
of oversharing. I’ve been hidden,
ridiculed, and deleted, but the funny thing is that I understand. I do.
If someone isn’t invested in me or my daughter, than I’m sure my crazy
amount of pictures and videos can get quite annoying. The positive side to the hiders and haters is
that I know who does love us. I know our
supporters and I know our encouragers.
And YOU, my precious friends, are Loved and Appreciated. More than you’ll ever know.
“A friend is always loyal, and a brother (or sister) is born
to help in time of need.” Proverbs 17:17
3. Because her milestones are a big deal.
Her milestones are huge! I have lived under these suffocating blanket
statements since before her birth.
She’ll never do this, she’ll always do that; her tongue this, her eyes
that; she’ll have this; she’ll never have that.
I’ve simply had enough. By
sharing in her milestones and her accomplishments, I’m cutting holes in all
those blankets. Pretty soon there will
be nothing left of those statements but a bunch of hot air.
She can do All things through Christ who gives her strength.
Philippians 4:13
4. Because someday she’ll understand that I championed for her.
There will be a day when my little girl will look back and
see how much her mommy, daddy, and sisters adored her. She will see how crazy we were about her and
how we believed in her from the very beginning.
On that day, she’ll already understand who she is and she will already be
confident in our love for her. But to
look back and see that we were always her champions will give her all the more strength and
perseverance.
“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you can
be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James 1:4
5. Because I’m her voice to change perspectives and to inform.
She doesn’t have a voice yet. When she does, I have no doubt that she’ll
use it to change perspectives and inform in her own perfectly beautiful way. But for now, I’m her voice to show the world
anytime she breaks out of an ill-conceived, fragile, or misinformed mold. Anytime she displays her own personality, her
intelligence, her adorableness, I’m going to share it. The world needs to see that she is unique and
perfectly made to fulfill a greater purpose, hand-selected by the God Who created
her.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and
appointed you as My prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5
6. Because her accomplishments can inspire.
Before her diagnosis, I knew absolutely nothing
about Down syndrome. If I did hear
anything, it was negative or ugly, filled with low expectations for my child. Emmy does more at her age than I was given
hope for her to do. I know I’m not the
only person out there who has a child who wasn’t give much hope to succeed. I share because there are no limits with God. And that’s why I praise Him with every hurdle
she jumps, climbs, or even crawls over.
She is His testimony.
“God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or
imagine. He does everything by His power
that is working in us.” Ephesians 3:20
7. Because other mommas need to know that I get it.
I share because there are countless other
mommas out there just like me, and it feels really good to know that there are others
out here who understand. We are not
always up. We face sadness,
disappointment, and heartache. But we
are a blessed minority to take every single moment captive and celebrate those
little moments, which are never really little.
“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up,
just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
8. Because she’s cute.