Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Perfection is in the Eyes of the Beholder


To say that I'm not religious would be an understatement. However, I do believe in God. When Taylor was born I was attending the church of her father (my ex-husband now) and it was a fundamentalist, Pentecostal church. While I was going through everything with Taylor, I had several members of the church tell me that I wasn't praying hard enough or didn't have enough faith and that was why Taylor wasn't "made whole & normal". Thankfully, the majority of the people were not like that, but those few are what started my questioning of the whole religious thing.

I came across this poem on someone's blog and saved it awhile ago. Today, I thought I would post it here because regardless of what you believe, I think it touches "something" inside. Yes, it made me cry but then anything like this usually does. Taylor is eternal innocence and I just wanted to share.


"As a small group of political and church leaders look on,

Jesus lifts a mentally handicapped child out of her chair kisses her and sits her on his knee. He dips a crust of bread in wine and feeds it to her, morsel by morsel.

As he does so, Jesus says:"I know what you are thinking. You need a sign. What better one could I give than to make this little one whole and new?

I could do it; but I will not.

I am the Lord and not a conjurer.

I gave this mite a gift I denied all of you -- eternal innocence.

To you she looks imperfect

But to me she is flawless,

Like the bud that dies unopened or the fledgling that falls from the nest to be devoured by ants. She will never offend me, as all of you have done.

She will never pervert or destroy the work of {my} hands.

She is necessary to you.

She will evoke the kindness that will keep you human.

Her infirmity will prompt you to gratitude for your own good fortune...More!

She will remind you that every day I am who I am, that my ways are not your ways and that the smallest dust mote whirled in the darkest space does not fall out of my hand...

I have chosen you.

You have not chosen me.

This little one is my sign to you.

Treasure her!"



16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dawn, I love that poem!!! Hope you guys have a terrific Thanksgiving!!!

tumbleweedgirl said...

to say i agree is a pretty frail thing to add to this.

i have had those same comments come back to us about lia and her life.

each unhealed hurt, perceived flaw, is a sign from God that he loves, and that he's not a magician. thank you for sharing that.

My name is Sarah said...

This is Joyce. Just beautiful. I have not seen this before. Thank you for sharing.

Kathy said...

Amen. I was once in a church where some people spoke like that. That sort of faith is toxic - so sad. I think your daughter is beautiful and I know her maker does too.

Kathy (used to read at OHIH - still keeping up a little)

PS my word verification is lorminite - sounds like a type of countertop. :)

HappilyFlawed said...

Wonderful

Alicia said...

That is so beautiful. And true. Thank you for sharing.

It is amazing how judgmental and cruel people can be in the name of religion. Or, as they may think, in the name of God. Just by sharing that poem, you show that you know the heart of God better than they do.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Erin said...

Beautiful. And such a beautiful picture of Taylor. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Heather said...

so beautiful! thank you for sharing it and for sharing taylor with us! lots of love to you all...

Tina said...

Dawn:

How beautiful....Taylor is so lucky to have you for her mother..

Hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving...

~Hugs

Becca said...

I'm not at all religious, but things like that still touch me. That was really lovely, and so true.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and Taylor--we all have so much to be thankful for!

Anonymous said...

You know I am not the type of Christian that you encountered in that church. Those people sound like poison to me, but I am not is a position to judge them. However I do know about the miracle of Taylor walking....Having faith is very important but, we also have to understand God's will is not always what we are praying for, but I can garantee it is always the right thing.

I loved that poem as it so describes the love of Jesus is abounding. As you told me once, Taylor is the closest thing to knowing God's love on earth.

She is special and may have issues but she is perfect in God's eyes.

Someday I hope that you will find a church that is so different from what you and the Boss Man was used to.

Know that Jesus loves all of you and you are still the daughter of the King and a princess in His eyes.

I know you have issues to work out as far as God's will but I believe that one day that will happen.

I love all of you from a cyber distance.

kathleen

Creating the best of Me said...

That was a very neat poem and made me cry as well that is what taylor is and it also made me smile b/c she is who she is. I love you and glad I am here to learn and hopefully develop the patience and understanding you have.
Love you mom
B

Robin in Montana said...

That was beautiful, Dawn. :-) I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, and I think I'm now signed up to follow your blog.

won said...

Wanted to come by and say hello! I hope you're doing okay.

tumbleweedgirl said...

dawn

just checking in to see if you're around.

Karen said...

That was beautiful! Taylor is lucky that you were chosen to be her mommy!!