By: John Kerr
I was blessed with the most wonderful in-laws a guy could ask for. But I often wonder what they thought when Brenda brought me home to meet her family.
I looked more like I came off a rock band poster than the cover of a romance book! I had a big head of bushy red hair and a red beard wearing flair-bottomed pants and platform heels (this was the 70’s).
However, when I came through their front door, I was greeted by her brother John. He had the biggest smile that could ever fit on a face. He held his hand out and welcomed me.
What was special about John was that he had Down Syndrome. I don’t think I was ever in the company of a Down Syndrome person before and if I had any nerves, they all but vanished when I shook John’s hand.
I really didn’t give my future father-in-law much time to get used to the idea because we were married only a few months later. By that time my beard was gone, and I had had a haircut. I didn’t realize until years later that how I accepted John was a pivotal moment in whether our relationship was to continue. But John and I were always the best of friends. We accepted each other for who we were and that was all.
Years later, when I was at Bible College in London, I worked at a parking lot. One evening a van full of developmentally challenged adults came into the park. I can still see the forlorn faces staring out of the window, so I waved to them. You might not believe the difference that came to those same faces. They went off to the movies and were so happy when they piled back on the bus. The chaperone thanked me for my kindness to his gang. I was surprised because they were people just like myself.
There is a valuable spiritual lesson that always comes to my mind when I reflect upon these experiences. Ephesians 1:6 in the KJV says: “to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
Acceptance is something many of us struggle with: “how could a holy God accept me into his family? I never feel like I belong. I wish people could see the real me.” These and a myriad of other thoughts rob men and women of so much blessing and often they relate their life experiences to life in the church.
But the bible has so much to say to us about our position with God. That verse I quoted is part of a long sentence penned by Paul. It begins: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.” And ends “you also… were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit…to the praise of His glory.” (Eph. 1:13,14). God leaves nothing out for our blessing in Him.
If you are a new Christian struggling with the effects of a sinful lifestyle or even if you have been a believer for years and are still haunted by your former life, understand what is true about yourself now from the word of God. Then find support from your church family by joining a growth group or by seeking counsel from your Pastors.
Above all, don’t try to carry that burden alone.
When I met John, he saw me just as I was. In effect, his handshake cemented a bond that I have cherished. To know that we are “accepted in the beloved” is to enter a relationship that will last your whole life. Who knows, maybe you can make a difference in someone else’s life by accepting them just as you have been accepted yourself.
