24:15 The Nub Of The Story

How to have a disabled child: just love them like any other kid. That's it. You could stop reading here if you wanted to since that's my entire thesis. Or you could listen to my story.

I have a son with Down Syndrome who is now five years old. Here on the 'Net we call him Nub. He's a short, sawed-off little guy, so the name kinda fits. The Free Dictionary defines nub as:

1. A protuberance or knob.

2. A small lump.

3. The essence; the core: the nub of a story.

We define him as our toddler on steroids. He is celebrating his third anniversary of his second birthday. A lovably cute boy, he's got the strength and reach of a five year old with the understanding of a two year old.

Still with me? Ok, look, I didn't ask to have a son with Down Syndrome. In fact, if I was honest with myself, I probably asked God not to have any kids with "special needs". I only knew two or three people with DS growing up and I was a little freaked out by them. I mean, they are retarded; they just sit there like some kind of lump - a nub. They're all so awkward and uncomfortable and inconvenient. Sure, we're all God children, and we'll be kind to them and everything, but couldn't they just be somewhere else, with someone else?

What kind of insensitive jerk are you? Well, just like anyone, only more so. [...]

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24:15 Contemplating My Reflection

Welcome back to As For Me And My House (Jos 24:15), the place where the rubber meets the road. You can subscribe directly to this series here.

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Rush. Rush. Rush.

Our lives are busy and seemingly getting busier. Everyone agrees that slowing down is good, but nobody seems to actually do it. However, the need to stop every once in a while, take a breather, and reflect on what has gone before is built into the human condition. If we do not allow ourselves this luxury, our bodies begin to break down, our relationships become strained, contemplation is impossible, and therefore prayer remains superficial and our relationship with God does not progress towards the Transforming Union. We begin to see that contemplation is not a luxury after all, but a need.

I once saw an old episode of a Twilight Zone or Outer Limits show in which a man was granted the gift to never have to wait for anything, so he could always get more things done. He quickly despairs because he realizes that he has lost the quiet time in order to think, to dream, and to figure things out. In my own life I have solved many intractable problems by "doing nothing" or "sleeping on it", allowing my mind to reflect and contemplate. Contemplation and reflection actually rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.

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Nodling Generator

Welcome back to As For Me And My House, the place where the rubber meets the road.

I am a Nodling generator.



Astute readers of my blog will have noticed a new seal that appeared several weeks ago without explanation. It shows a small footprint encircled by the words "Official Nodlings Generator". The Nodlings are, of course, my children.

I am happy to say the immediate cause of the seal is that Mrs. Nod and I are expecting our sixth child. "Fearful and Wonderful" stuff (ref. Psalm 139:14). If it is a boy, we'll have an even split. We'll be like a Catholic Brady Bunch.

As a father I am my children's progenitor, my wife their co-creator. This is the one power that we have that most directly images God the Father, the Creator. He allows us to share in His creative power. God made from nothing, ex nihilo, we continue what He has caused into being. To put it a bit more crudely, being able to make a baby is a little like being God.

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