Editor’s note: In light of what Pope Francis just said last weekend about our culture’s “narcissistic and utilitarian” vision of life, according to which people with disabilities would be unable to be “happy and self-fulfilled,” we were struck by this piece …
There is a light that can never be looked upon because it is so brilliant you would be blinded forever. This light shines inside God’s chosen ones, many of whom are marginalized and disabled. There are many of us who can sense this light and embrace those who have it. Others ignore and sometimes, even abhor it. That light is the Love of God.
I was recently blessed when I received a letter from a woman in her 30s who had been severely injured a number of years ago and, besides her physical handicaps, also suffers from brain trauma. (I agreed not to identify her so I will just call her “Annie.”) The letter was in response to an articleI had written, and I wanted to share part of it.
You can actually feel and see the Hand of God himself acting as Annie’s “ghost- writer.” It was a lengthy letter so what I post here is out of context. She is certainly one of the Chosen Ones, one of God’s invisible champions. What follows is exactly what she wrote:
Larry, I has a prayer that I do evry morning for me.. as I humble submit evry day to the lord will and Him direckshun.. (I myself is not the look of world full beuty.. I atrophy from paralyze an very skinny (icky & sickly to some) I do understand my beuty in Elohim* eyes (an my mommah).. evry morning I ask the holy spirit to give me eyes to see how the Lord see us.. I so bless with amaze spiritual giff to see human beuty threw god eyes an ask god to reveel the forgotton ones that world full humans cast a glance an offen tern way.. cood be elderly.. poor.. differen color/accent/name.. mental/emoshunal differen.. too fat/thin.. to short/tall.. disfigure/disable… heck cood even be wrong kine of car in my hoity toity village… some thing that is… TOO… TOO.. I am grace w.Jesus eyes.. I so luck full to see in miracle way that moss can not even imajine…
The heart and soul of this injured woman shines through her struggling words to reveal an inner beauty that only God can give, a transcendent luminescence that should keep us in awe of Him who created it.
The handiwork of God is all around us. From the tiniest flower, to the majestic mountains, to the perfection of a universe where you can know to the very second when a solar eclipse will occur and never doubt whether or not there will be 24 hours in a day, every day. Ultimately, when that day is done, you will find God’s most magnificent handiwork in the “least of His brethren.”
More from Annie:
… I use my hugs an love as extenshun of jesus if I is command & order as I believe I juss instrument an vessel for Adonai* to use… heck even thow I juss lern how read write in lass 13 year some pepel (inclue frien or famly) even make fun my English word or spelling.. that is fine by me… God understand my words both spoke an unspoken…. an all moss ever one understand kine in a smile.. a touch.. or hug.. the meanie pepel.. well.. God will deel with the meanies not me..
There are those who have demeaned, rejected, and abused Annie many times but this physically damaged child of God harbors a love for Him that shines forth from every atrophied part of her very being and offers love, understanding and forgiveness. How beautiful is that?
The torchbearer for the Olympic Games runs into the stadium holding high a light for all to see. Annie is the bearer of a light so bright it can never be looked upon. She is a true Champion and will one day have her Gold Medal. And it will be God Himself who gives it to her. She will have earned her place among the select ranks of God’s greatest champions.
*Elohim and Adonai are traditional Hebrew names for God used in Scripture.
And today we celebrate...