Human Life

There are so many pressing issues to discuss like the fate of this nation, our President politicizing the assassination of Osama bin Laden, Rep. Michele Bachmann’s recent endorsement of Mitt Romney and the Wall Street Journal blog that notes – the jobs picture isn’t pretty.  I could rattle off a book giving you my opinions on this subject matter. Can write you talking points – we are on a cliff headed for ruin, we must stop spending money we don’t have, the state of the economy reflects the type of leadership we have set in place…etc.  And I believe these points wholeheartedly. However, with all the hustle and bustle, media hype and bleak economic woes, it’s sometimes difficult to concentrate on one of the most beautiful topics – human life. 

I scan the news most every day. OK – not most every day – every day. When you work in a job, centered on communication, it’s vital to know your current events. While I was going through my daily routine this morning, stumbled upon an editorial, written by a brilliant conservative pundit and ABC News commentator, George Will. Though, I did not know what the story was about – the title pulled me in, “Jon Will’s Gift.” Being a typical sentimental girl and a sucker for stories that wrench your heart, I had to read it. Found myself crying and pondering, why? 

 

George Will’s son, Jon, was born with down-syndrome. The oldest of his children, his 40^th birthday is tomorrow. Mr. Will notes that the things that have enhanced his son’s life are the DC subway system and the Nationals baseball team. He writes, 

"He navigates the subway expertly, riding it to the Nationals ballpark, where he enters the clubhouse a few hours before game time and does a chore or two. The players, who have climbed to the pinnacle of a steep athletic pyramid, know that although hard work got them there, they have extraordinary aptitudes because they are winners of life’s lottery. Major leaguers, all of whom understand what it is to be gifted, have been uniformly and extraordinarily welcoming to Jon, who is not.”

 I’m sure many pro-choice advocates would not be too pleased with this piece. They would think, “Why should a little boy – sentenced to a life of constant supervision live? He can’t reach his full potential.” I bet his parents would argue with that statement. It’s a selfish question. If you believe that God is the one who creates, in fact, ordains life – wouldn’t he have a purpose behind the life of every individual? I can imagine Jon is thankful for his life. I’m sure Jon has blessed countless individuals with his innocent demeanor and perpetual smile. Jon’s life counts – his life is precious. Every life is valued. It’s a gift from the maker of all. I always meditate on Psalm 139:13.

 “For you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

He is fearfully and wonderfully made. My mom would always tell me growing up – God didn’t create junk. All the works of God’s hands are marvelous.

George Will with children. Jon (left). 

Maybe the question is not, “why?” Maybe just maybe we should relish in the simplicity of life – the living breathing moments. Maybe we should not question the divine, but learn to thank God for the gifts he has given us.  Like Jeremiah, the prophet of old, we should realize,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”

 To me, Jon’s outlook is the purest of them all. God has set him apart for a reason. And, he is the one who can truly see through the unobstructed lenses of life.