God’s Plan

We love our volunteers and are excited to share this beautiful Life Essay, written by Lauren. She is fourteen years old. Lauren lives in Michigan and has been involved with Spreading Sunshine since the early days. She’s organized projects at her school. She plays flute, piano and uke. She also runs cross country and track. She is a member of our school LINKS group. She wants to be a music therapist when she grows up.

Emerson, Ryder, Max, and David.

These are the names of people I know who were born with Down Syndrome. Some people may say Down Syndrome is a mistake. That they were “accidentally” made like that. But we know from the Bible that God did this on purpose, and that He knows what He did. It is no accident.

In Exodus 4:11, it says, “The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?’”

Pregnancy is an amazing gift from God, but people don’t treat this gift as important as it is. In Iceland they are saying that they are “getting rid” of Down Syndrome, but they are actually aborting babies that are diagnosed with Down Syndrome. More than 4 out of 5 women in Iceland opt for the prenatal test to see if their miracle is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. In Iceland, close to 100% of women whose babies test positive have their child terminated within 10 weeks of conception. People in Iceland say that abortion is just ending something unwanted and imperfect, not murder. The Fifth Commandment says, “You shall not murder.” This includes abortion, so aborting a baby with Down Syndrome is murder, which is wrong.

When I hear those numbers and statistics, I think what has the world come to? I think of just one of those lives and the impact his little life has already had on so many. I would like to tell you about David. This year he is going to turn 6 years old. In his almost 6 years of life he has inspired the creation of Spreading Sunshine.

Spreading Sunshine has sent over 3,000 Sunshine Boxes, bright and cheerful care packages, to kids in hospitals who are facing serious medical problems. They have also served over 3,500 meals to families whose children in the hospital. This organization all started with a little boy named David (nicknamed Sunshine by his sister, Lily) who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. His parents were inspired to spread God’s love to families with sick kids. I can’t believe how much of an impact his life has made on others. And to think what is lost every time a baby is aborted. We will never know what God’s plan was for them.

In Psalm 139: 14 it says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.” In this verse it should remind us that God made all of us for a purpose. He made you so you can grow and learn all about Him. People with Down Syndrome also have a purpose in God’s plan, just look at what one life inspired. Emerson, Ryder, Max, and David. Let’s just wait and see what God has in store for them.

Our Spreading Sunshine community is made up of incredible families, volunteers and donors who believe we can make a difference in the world by spreading love, hope, joy, kindness, and compassion. This month we are hosting a community-wide virtual change drive. To honor our friends with Down Syndrome, would you consider joining us and making donations in increments of $3.21.