A man noticed my bracelet the other day. He asked me if I went to church. I responded that, yes, I did attend church. After we traded location and denominations of our respected congregations, I let him know why I wear the bracelet. First it says, hope. It is from the Global Genes foundation that researches and celebrates rare genetic disorders.

I briefly explained I wear it for my son and about Monkey’s condition. He asked if it was something that would get better on its own. I responded that it is not a curable disease. He in his honest, heartfelt, and a uniquely Southern response that we do so well here, said, “Not curable according to men, but we know something different.”

Now. Yes. And no. Before I tell you how I responded you need to know something. God’s plans are perfect. I believe this with my whole being. There are reasons for things good and bad that happen in our lives that are explained by one purpose. The revelation of God’s love in our lives. Sometimes this is easy and sometimes… well it just is not.

Now back to the fellow who asked about my bracelet. I told him that my son does not need to be cured. I told him that he is exactly as he was created to be. He is just as he should be, whether that means he gains anything developmentally or otherwise through the years. I’m not sure what the fellow thought of my comments, we moved on.

So what do we hope for? Well, we hope for what all parents hope for their children. We hope for them to be the best humans they can be. But we also hope for understanding. We hope for better. We hope for a house that can accommodate Monkey as he gets bigger and heavier. We hope for people to see love when they see our son. We hope for people to see people when the see those who are exceptional. We just hope. We hope for what is not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is all we do really.

During this same week, my wife was teaching her first LIVE streaming lessons of the school year. This works just like it does in a brick and mortar school. Get to know you activities and the teachers share about themselves.  For my wife, this obviously includes Monkey. It is of extra interest as she teaches science. As Morgan went through slides with her class that include pictures of the fam and the dogs and cats, the comments came in from the kids in her class. They pop up in a chat box on the side of the page. Lots of her kids responded in what most consider a typical and age appropriate way. Lots of “I’m so sorry to hear that” and the occasional “Wow, that’s cool”.

Then one middle schooler offered a response that can only be characterized as amazing. “God just loves him a little more”.

Wow.

Did I say middle schooler? I think I did. Now since this is still a public online school this conversation did not get the attention that it deserved. But I think it’s safe to say it stands on its own.

I cannot think of a more adequate description for my son’s life. The love we have learned and share from our lives with Monkey, is cause and purpose enough. Remember what I said about those plans God has. Perfect.