Today I’m pleased to welcome fellow writer Annie Yorty as my guest. We met through work with Lighthouse Bible Studies. Her book From Ignorance to 
Bliss: God’s Heart Revealed Through Down Syndrome was released last month and I read it in two sittings. You’ll laugh, shed a tear (or several) and be amazed at the journey she and her family are taking. Today I celebrate the release of her book and invite you to look into her heart as you read on…
“Mommy, it’s my birthday! Tell me the story of when I was born.” My daughter, Alyssa, still wants me to pull out the photo albums and regale her with tales from the day she entered the world. I started this tradition when my kids were young so they would know they are special and valuable to me. I never tire of retelling the stories.
Stories create the warp and weft of the fabric of our lives. Sometimes the cloth turns out smooth and silky. At other times, course and nubby. God weaves the loose ends of all our experiences into a seamless part of His glorious tapestry.
A diagnosis of Down syndrome is one of the threads God placed in my design. Now my life quilt has some irregular and knobby textures. When I look back on my experiences, I can’t help but praise Him. He used my daughter’s disability to draw me into a rich and trusting relationship with Him.
An Unexpected Testimony
The psalmist wrote, “Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me” (Psalm 66:16 NLT). I, too, feel compelled to share what God has done for me. That’s why I wrote From Ignorance to Bliss: God’s Heart Revealed through Down Syndrome. In it, I tell how God used an unexpected circumstance to transform me from a young mom who didn’t know much about Him into a follower who can trust Him with anything.
Down syndrome is just one of my testimonies with God that range from mundane to magnificent.
That’s right, I have more than one testimony. So often, we think of our testimony as simply the story of how we came to trust in Jesus as our Savior. Certainly, every testimony begins with salvation. But God knits new fibers into our stories day after day, year after year.
Maybe you’ve looked around at the sparkly threads of others’ testimonies and judged yours as insignificant by comparison. Perhaps you consider God’s work in your life as unworthy of being told. Satan would like to nullify God’s victory in you by convincing you to keep silent. But in God’s view, every testimony holds unique beauty.
Just hours before His arrest, Jesus said, “I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry” (John 15:26-27 NLT).
True Testimony
Testimony should reflect truth. In court, witnesses suffer consequences when they lie. Outside of the judiciary, testimony provides evidence to prove an assertion. Every Christian should testify about the truth of Jesus in both word and deed.
Your Testimony—God’s Story
Thankfully, we don’t need to manufacture our testimonies. God, the star of our spiritual victories, provides all the raw materials and instructions. For our part, we must read the manual—the Bible—and follow its teachings.
I’m sure you can imagine God using a significant situation like Down syndrome to shape people. Have you also considered how He seizes on uncomplicated, everyday life experiences to create your testimony? I recall how God used the simple chore of cleaning the bathrooms at my church to develop my heart for service.
As God works through our circumstances to transform us, we must be ready to testify, or give evidence, of His greatness.
Listen to what Jesus told a desperate man after He freed him from demon possession:
“Go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you . . . so the man . . . began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. (Mark 5:19-20 NLT)
What fibers has God woven into your life’s tapestry? By telling your story, will you display your testimony and God’s victory? Share with us in the comments.
Copyright ©2023 Annie Yorty
Annie Yorty writes and speaks to encourage others to perceive God’s person, presence, provision, and purpose in the unexpected twists and turns of life. In March, 2023, Elk Lake Publishing released her book, From Ignorance to Bliss, God’s Heart Revealed through Down Syndrome. Married to her high school sweetheart and living in Pennsylvania, she mothers a teen, two adult children (one with intellectual disabilities), and a furry beast labradoodle. Annie invites you to connect with her at http://annieyorty.com, Facebook, and Instagram.
Thank you, Annie, for the glimpse of your encouraging and uplifting story, and thank you Marylin for introducing us to her. We have a special needs grandson in our family, and my wife and I have deep appreciation for what the loving sacrifices that parents of special needs children make every day, and for the way God uses those children to enrich the lives of people in ways they might not ever consider. Thank you, Annie, for your ministry to so many. The bright threads you weave into the fabric of the lives of your readers will rebound to the honor and praise of the One who gave you the testimony you share.
Thank you Ron for sharing your personal reflection.I agree that bright threads add to the fabric in enriching and often powerful ways.
Ron, I’m so thankful my experiences have encouraged you. You, too, have uplifted me by your comments. I’m reminded of Romans 1:12. “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” Blessings to you!
A great book from an amazing author Ms. Marilyn. I too have enjoyed, with many different emotions invoked, Ms. Annie’s latest book. I’m not sure that God will ever give me to occasion to meet both Ms. Annie and Miss Alyssa on this earth, but I’m certain I’ll be meeting this precious child of God on that day. Am looking forward to thanking her for sharing God’s gift of encouragement with so many.
Thank you, J.D. You always have kind words. Lord willing, I will meet you later this month at BRMCWC. Too bad Alyssa won’t be with me!
I love Annie’s book and this post, rich with meaning. Thanks for sharing it, Marilyn.
Annie, your weaving analogy creates a mental image of life stories God uses to teach us and minister to others. I appreciate your description of our testimony which includes, but is not limited to our salvation story. Sharing His work in our lives expands its value.
Jeannie, your observations are spot on. God multiplies His work in our lives as we open our hearts to Him and others. Blessings to you!
Annie’s story is an amazing testimony. I have enjoyed her book also and know others who can benefit from reading it. Thanks for sharing, Marilyn and Annie!
Marilyn, thank you once again for allowing me to share my heart with your audience. You have blessed me indeed!
Barbara, thank you. You’ve been so helpful to me and I appreciate it. God bless!
Annie, your testimony is beautiful and definitely provides evidence of God’s greatness. Your book continues to inspire me with your message of faith and trust. Thank you for hosting, Marilyn.
Thanks, Katherine, for your encouragement. We all need to light up this dark world with our God-stories.
This is so true. as a disabled person I know how God uses what the world discards for His glory.