Shopping for Thought

Last week my husband kindly offered to allow me some time to clothes shop kid-free. Those of you with kids know that this truly was a blessing. Those of you without children should imagine yourselves trying on clothes with the use of only one arm.

While in one of the fitting rooms, I heard a man's voice asking one of the store associates for help.

"I don't know what size she is," he said.

"Hold your arms out like this," said the associate. After a pause, she repeated the measurements.

"Um, clearly this isn't really my cup of tea. Could you help me out a little bit? Where would I find that?" he said.

"Well, the sizes for younger girls are over there. She'll probably be able to find a style that she likes in that section."

I found it odd that a man would be shopping for clothing with a young girl without knowing what he was looking for, but I didn't think much more about it.

When I got into line, a few places in front of me was a man and a young girl with Down Syndrome. The girl was holding a couple of colorful training bras. It clicked--this was them. My heart flooded with sympathy.

As I thought about my experience over the next few days, a few things came to mind:

1. Did you know that the abortion rate upon prenatal discovery of possible Down Syndrome in the baby is around 90%?

I am completely staggered by that number. Our culture of convenience and ease has put forth the lie that it's okay to end a life because it might be difficult to care for. It displays a complete lack of trust in the sovereignty of God. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that it would be easy to have a child with Down Syndrome, or that it would be simple to swallow that pill by declaring God's sovereignty.

What I am saying is that it's sad.


2. As I thought of that father, he was clearly in an awkward situation: bra-shopping with his daughter. And yet, she needed it, and so there he was.

Obviously I don't know his heart, but I do know God's heart. If this fallen, earthly father was willing to extend such kindness and love to his helpless, needy child, in her moment of need, how much more is our perfect heavenly Father willing to extend his kindness to us, his needy and helpless children, all the time!

While we are welcome to come to him and say "Daddy, I need you," more often than not, he comes alongside us and provides for our needs even before we know of them. Sometimes it might be something "hard" for him, like leading us through pain, a loss, a trial, but he does it anyway because he knows it's for our good and his glory.