What a beautiful word.  Surrender.  What a frightening word.  Surrender.  Seemingly so simple, yet so very difficult.  We naturally want to control.  To plan.  To navigate the path by our own device.  To write our own story.

Ten years ago, my life completely changed during an emergency c-section, where I would be blessed with John William, my son with Down Syndrome.

There I suddenly was, with no control.  No plan.  No navigation.  And this was definitely not the story I had written.

In my naivety, I thought to myself, oh what wonderful things I will teach him.  What a wonderful, meaningful life I will give him.  I will shower him with unconditional love.  I will bring him immeasurable joy.  I will teach him to be strong.  I will let him know that he is capable.  I will show him the way.

Do you hear that?  I. I. I.

I was only focusing on everything “I” would provide for him.

Little did I know back then that in fact, the opposite would unfold.  What amazing things he has taught ME!  What a wonderful, meaningful life he has given ME!  He has showered ME with unconditional love.  He has given ME immeasurable joy.  He has taught ME to be strong.  He has let ME know that I am capable.  He has shown ME the way.

That Sunday evening in October ten years ago, I did not have all the answers.  In fact, I did not have any answers.  I did not know the path.  In fact, I was afraid of this new, unfamiliar path.  I did not know why God had chosen me.  In fact, I felt unworthy.

But I chose to surrender.

And oh, what a beautiful journey it has been, because it was the will of God.

So it is perfectly fitting that I share this today, as we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.

To share my willingness to surrender to an unexpected blessing who, by merely raising him, would bring me closer to God.  Whose eyes radiate the light of God, whose ears hear the goodness of God, whose mouth speaks the word of God, whose hands do the work of God and whose feet walk the path of God.

A path that is MORE THAN WORTHY.

When your life veers off into an unfamiliar route, do not be afraid.

SURRENDER.

Beautiful blessings await!