This weekend I had the privilege of serving our friends at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. I love this church and preaching there is a pure joy because they are so attentive and responsive. And I always benefit from my interaction with members of the pastoral team, whom I deeply respect.

But there was a unique highlight on this trip in meeting Krista Horning.

Krista, now 23 years old, was diagnosed with Apert syndrome the day after her birth and has since undergone more then 60 surgeries. (I simply cannot comprehend that!) But you would probably never know that Krista has spent so much time in hospitals if you were to see her pronounced joy evident in her beautiful smile.

Krista is also the author of the new book Just the Way I Am: God's Good Design in Disability (Desiring God, 2009). When it was released I received a copy from my friend Jon Bloom at Desiring God. I immediately read the book when it arrived and was deeply moved as I read it. I think you will be as well.

In the foreword, Joni Eareckson Tada writes:

Every child goes through the "Why?" stage. Kids and questions go together. But it gets tougher when, with doleful eyes, a child asks, "Why don't my legs work like the other kids?" or "Why did God make me this way?"

Krista Horning is a young woman heaven-bent on helping children find answers. Especially the Answer, Jesus Christ. With a tenderness tempered by her own physical challenges, Krista considers it her life's calling to lovingly lead kids with disabilities beyond their questions to discover just how wise and sovereign God really is.

The bulk of the book features photographs of joyful children at Bethlehem Church who suffer from disabilities. The photographs are complemented with biblical promises. Joni’s foreword is followed later in the book with a pastoral meditation by David Michael and a brief biography of Krista’s life written by her mother Mary (meeting the rest of the Horning family—Mary, her husband, son, and daughter—was another highlight from the trip!). Krista’s book concludes with application questions and a brief list of gospel truths by John Piper.

Just the Way I Am is a unique and valuable resource for parents and pastors who get asked the honest questions from children with disabilities.

What a joy to see how the Horning family is bringing honor to the Savior. And what joy it was to meet Krista and her family this weekend.

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