A Very Special Young Man

Jon with his Dad

My husband and I were visited by a friend and his teenage son Jon.  Jon has Down’s Syndrome and his dad has cancer.  They are best buds.  Jon very proudly told us that he asked Jesus into his heart and his dad baptized him.  He spoke in front of his church and at his brother’s college about what Jesus has done in his life.  

I recently observed a friend’s little girl coloring a picture. With a white crayon in her hand, she attempted to color with it.  Seeing no results, she tried again, still no results. She looked up and said “this one doesn’t work” and put it back in with the others. As we know, children perceive things very differently from adults.  The white crayons really do work; they just work in a different way.

While Jon was talking to us with his dad, I was reminded of the white crayon and the little girl saying “this one doesn’t work”.  A lot of people would look at Jon and say, he’s different, he doesn’t work like us, there’s so much he can’t do. But you know, Jon is a “white crayon” and God has made him special for a reason.  

At this season of his life he’s a helper for his dad, his mother and siblings, a blessing to everyone who knows him, and a prayer warrior.  He told me “I pray for my dad everyday”.  His dad shared that Jon tunes in on the needs of others and remembers them in his prayers.  Jon also has a strong desire to tell others about Jesus.  This young man has a genuine award winning smile that can light up any room he is in.
Society may label Jon as “special needs”, I would call Jon “special”, I know Jesus does as He made Jon just the way He wanted him to be.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13,14,16

Update: Jon's dad went home to be with his Lord and Savior in October, 2017. Jon proudly spoke from his heart at his dad's service. He shared with everyone there all the things his dad had taught him. It was very moving.

This post may be linked to one or more of the following:
Tell His Story, The Art of Home-making Mondays, Mondays Musings, Roses of Inspiration, Growing in Grace Thursdays, Word Art Wednesdays, Counting My Blessings, Fellowship Friday, Wednesday's Prayer Girls,