Joannah: A Gracious Gift From God; But Should She Have Been Born?
by Joannah Tess Fuller is a happy, bubbly fourteen year old girl who lives in Indiana, loves to play volleyball, and brings smiles and joy to all who see her. She loves life, and she worships God with her whole heart. But there are many who say she should never have been born.
Nina believes that the Lord gave her this experience so that she would have a personal understanding of what women in crisis pregnancies go through. She asked, “Lord, do I have to give up my life to take this stand, to let the baby live and let you have your way in both of our lives, or must this baby die so that I can live?” The Lord answered her with the assurance that her life, the baby’s life, and the lives of her family were in his hands, and that she needed to trust Him.
God tells us in Deuteronomy 30: “Choose life, that you and your children may live.” Nina took this command very seriously and put her life in God’s hands.
In order to give both mom and baby the best chance of survival, Joannah Tess Fuller was born by cesarean section ten weeks early. When Nina came out of her coma two and a half days later, the first thing she asked was, “Did my baby survive?” It was love at first hold. Joannah was tiny at 2 lb. 11 oz., and ironically, her name literally means “gracious gift of God.”
Nina has learned personally what it means to trust the Lord with her life. She wants to share with others the truth that when we are obedient to God, He always blesses us. The entire Fuller family has been so impacted by Joannah’s life that they have gone on to adopt another baby girl with Down syndrome whom they have purposefully named Hope. Nina and her children are living proof of the heavenly promises to those who take God at His Word.
Some would say the fetus the mother was carrying would not be worth the burden to the family or society. Others say it would be more humane to abort the baby instead of it having to live a sub-quality life. Just ask Joannah, her family, friends at school or church. They all think she has a pretty fulfilling, happy and purposeful life. Joannah is glad her mother chose life.
Nina Fuller is a nationally acclaimed speaker and the author of Special Strength for Special Parents. For further information, see www.ninafuller.org
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Post CommentGoodselfme
On January 1, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Wonderfully heartfelt write. I admire women who listen to God as you aptly shared here. Tx
Jamie
On January 1, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Wow Karen, what a wonderful article! Here is another twist on the pro-choices logic on aborting kids that are “defective”. My pastors youngest daughter was diagnosed as Downs syndrome while still in her mothers womb. The mother was advised to consider abortion which was, of course, absolutely out of the question for this Godly couple, To make a long story short, the child was born and definately does not have downs syndrome or any other health issues. In fact, she is an excellent student and athlete at the age of 12. Makes you wonder how many false diagosises have led women to abort perfectly healthy babies. This is why I choose life and will always stand on the side of life rather then promote this culture of death that risen up to rob these precious babies of their right to live.
Sharif Ishnin
On January 1, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Heartwarming story. What great story to share.Thanks.
albert1jemi
On January 1, 2010 at 10:50 pm
great article thnx for sharing
Eunice Tan
On January 1, 2010 at 11:09 pm
God knows our strength and He will give us the strength we need. Wonderful post. Happy New Year, Karen
clay hurtubise
On January 1, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Good piece.
Thanks,
Clay
Hettie
On January 2, 2010 at 12:29 am
Hi karen great article thank you for sharing it. A great start to the new year. Hettie
Melinda McQueen
On January 2, 2010 at 12:49 am
Heartwarming article.
maranatha
On January 2, 2010 at 1:32 am
Karen, well done! This lady’s story is not unique, but God bless folks like you who bring them public attention. There are many, many Johannas in the world. As one other commenter said, there are also many false positives – two in my family that would have been aborted had the mothers listened to their doctors. Both children were born with no defects at all.
Christine Ramsay
On January 2, 2010 at 4:49 am
A really lovely read. I have known many downs syndrome children during my teaching life and they are the most delightful, loveable and helpful people.
Christine
qasimdharamsy
On January 2, 2010 at 10:39 am
Great Article….