[box] “God’s viewpoint is sometimes different from ours – so different that we could not even guess at it unless He had given us a Book which tells us such things….In the Bible I learn that God values us not for our strength or our brains but simply because He has made us.” ― Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place[/box]

a

Conversation after going through a special needs assessment where Bethany overheard the social workers and I discussing challenges, goals, and solutions concerning downs syndrome.

“Momma- am I downs syndrome?”

dd

“What? –No, Bethy- you have downs syndrome but you’re Bethany Anne- God’s house full of His grace.”

s

“But you say I downs syndrome .”

x

“No! No, we were talking about some of the challenges you have because you HAVE downs syndrome.  You are not down syndrome.  You are God’s girl, Daddy and my daughter, sister, Aunt, granddaughter and friend- you are Bethany Anne- you are unique- one of a kind.”

[Tweet “The only opinion about you that matter is what God thinks. #GodIs4U #GodLovesU “]

“I glad I Bethany, mommy.”

c

“I love that you’re Bethany, Bethany and I love being your mommy!!!”

d

Our perception of ourselves change as we learn and grow.

Who am I?

Who are you?

What is our ESSENCE?

j

What or Who does God see when He looks at us? Well, I can tell you this- He doesn’t see us the way we see ourselves!

m

[Tweet “Our #life challenge: Learn to let God define our #IDENTITY and #WORTH”]

k

Our worth and identity DOES NOT lie in our strength or beauty, our intelligence or lack thereof, our skills or achievement.

g

Our WORTH or VALUE comes from the fact that we been created in the image of God and birthed from His pleasure!

n

Rev. 4:11 says, “You are worthy oh Lord to receive glory and honor for all things you have created for your pleasure!”

s

[Tweet “You were #created to know and #experience God’s amazing #love! #identity”]

WE make daily decisions upon the assigned WORTH or VALUE of people.  A salary grows or shrinks based upon what VALUE the employer assigns how well the employee performed. Standardized Testing and IQ tests are translated into people’s educational WORTH.  Some cultures VALUE the elderly for their wisdom while others VALUE youth for their zeal. Strength and beauty build a person’s social “points”.

@

Sometimes we VALUE service professions- ie Doctors, Teachers, Pastors, Nurses, while Actors and Professional Athletes, Actors, and Actresses are assigned PREMIUM VALUE, while on the lower end of the VALUE scale are the poor, the homeless, the disabled, and unplanned children. (let that sink in for a minute)

@

But does God have a point system  for people?

Hallelujah- NO!

The Bible seems to suggest people will receive different rewards based on how they’ve served Him but does a person’s WORTH change?

s

Does it go up when you’re witnessing and down if you’re quiet?  Are you more valuable if you’ve been married 40 years and less worthy if you’ve been divorced?

x

Are you more valuable to God if your earn your doctorate or if you’re homeless?

NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT.

d

[Tweet “Our identity and value is based on God’s love for us. Nothing can stop this #love.”]

God doesn’t “need” us to be anything but His own- He loves us.

d

[Tweet “You can never do anything that will make God love you more- or less. “]

His love is PERFECT.  The only way to live then, is to live and grow in the IDENTITY He gives us as His children. And He has proven that there is no price to high to redeem you back to Himself.

So back to answering your question Bethany- No, you aren’t “down syndrome”. You are priceless!

[Tweet “You are #priceless to #God. #RedeemingLove”]

Surprising Treasures-  John 3:16 is explicit that God loved the WORLD so much (no one group excluded) that He gave His only Son that WHOEVER believes in Him- will not perish but have everlasting life!  God’s love for you cannot grow- neither can it diminish.  He is PERFECT LOVE and LOVES PERFECTLY!