A Message About Who Created What 
“So, let me get this straight, the devil deformed Sam in your womb by taking his hand and then continued to try to kill him right before NubAbility launched?” Asked a very sweet and well meaning Jesus loving lady.
I replied, “OHH, WHOA NO! Back up a sec here… Satan had NO jurisdiction in my womb or anyone else’s. I didn’t give it to him and God certainly doesn’t share the power of creation with him. Whether life is created to live more than a century or for a nano-second, God clearly takes credit for the knitting together of our frames in Psalms 139.”
I saw her “lightbulb” go on. Thank you Lord for the words. I have more work to do and here’s why:
Over the past several weeks the subject covering the view of limb-differences in light of faith has come up on many different fronts. That’s kind of how God works with me. When he wants me to seek a message to be delivered, he knows how easily distracted I can get, so he shows me over and over again the need. I am entrenched in the limb-different community due to my co-founding an organization that serves limb-different (congenital or amputee limb-loss) youth by the thousands. I’ll highlight one of these occurrences.
Most recently, I have spoken to a mama of multiple children with limb-differences who walked out of a church service because her heart was so broken as to how her children’s limb-differences were portrayed from the pulpit. The preacher viewed it as a condition that needed healed in order for the limb-different subject in his story to be a productive member of society.
Here’s what I need to hit home about people with limb-differences (less than four fully formed or functioning limbs):
1. It’s not a condition that needs to be healed.
2. It’s not a curse.
3. Many, like my son Sam who founded NubAbility Athletics grow to own their difference as the way God made them, and that made all the difference. It’s also scriptural.
4. God either ordains all life or he doesn’t. Psalms 139 is enough for me.
5. God uses the differently created to confound those smug in conformity into growth.
If you are one who looks upon those created differently with pity, I want to help you stop. Please visit the NubAbility YouTube Channel and watch their videos until you are in complete awe of the way God created those athletes young and old.
As the mama of a 26 year-old one-handed athlete and leader of a national nonprofit organization that has a global reach, and who has attained accolades and awards for his keynote speaking, and who has written an inspirational and moving book of his story due out this fall, and who anchors a soon-to-be aired Christian TV Sports Segment On TCT where he interviews professional athletes who have a story of faith to share, I am overdue in sharing this message.
As the mama of that man, who grew up playing EVERY SPORT his school had to offer him, that man who achieved his dream of playing college baseball I have a message. As the mama of that man who can bench press more than many NFL players and own a traditional gym w/o special tools, I have a message. As the mama of that man who can fish, hunt, drive, type, cook, create, build, change his nieces diaper and WORK…well, I hope you get the picture by now… I have a message.
Regardless of the type of difference a person is born with, they are intentionally, uniquely and creatively formed and have a purpose beyond our greatest imagination.
So, Believers, please pause and reflect when you cast someone in a category of “in need of healing” or “cursed” before you spew your thoughts. The devil uses unwise good intentions daily to cause hurt and setback. Don’t be like the devil.
Kids with limb-differences can choose to be pitiful or powerful. My son chose the option that’s based on truth.
Being a parent is hard work period. Most of our kids will someday have an opportunity to see themselves as an object of pity or of power due to some sort of a difference. I have made it my life’s mission to help them (and you) choose.
I’ve read this scripture to Sam Kuhnert from day one of his life and encourage you to read and meditate on it too:
Psalms 139:13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
CAN I GET AN AMEN?!?
Jana Kaye Kuhnert, Author of RiseByLifting.com
Rise by Lifting 