Parents Give Up Son Due To Rare Disorder, But Francis Joel Smith Knows He's Wonderfully Made
December 19, 2022
Are you still wonderfully and fearfully made and have a purpose if you’re born different? We all know the answer to that, but Doctor Francis Joel Smith will provide some insight.
This incredible story will remind you that each and every one of us was made on purpose, no matter the circumstances. In this story, parents give up their son due to a rare disorder, but Doctor Francis Joel Smith knows he’s wonderfully made.
RELATED: Inspiring Girl with Facial Condition Rises Above Cruel Comments and Gets Flood of Support
You don't have to be adopted, have a disorder, or deformity to question whether or not you’re loved. As Christians, we are adopted by our Heavenly Father. We are aware of our shortcomings, weaknesses, and flaws. Sometimes getting past them and taking up our cross is a bigger hurdle than we ever anticipated.
Yet, Francis Joel Smith doesn’t let being given up for adoption or looking different stop him from achieving all that God created him to be. In fact, he uses the way he was created to be a cornerstone to remind the world–we are all wonderfully made.
Life With A Facial Condition
Francis was born in Ireland when he was immediately taken into intensive care. In a video, he tells how he was born visibly different, with no ears or eye sockets.
Francis was in foster care and deeply loved by Lillian Collins until the age of three before he was adopted by a family who loved him just as deeply. But because of his differences, he was bullied during his childhood and teen years on top of Enduring 31 surgeries. He wrote, “The bullying from other children destroyed me. But my strong faith in Christ helped me endure these hard times.”
By the time he got to high school, his peers noticed he was ‘wonderfully made.’ He wrote, “I was accepted and experienced love by my peers and teachers who saw my potential for success.”
Despite his trials and tribulations, Francis Joel Smith defied the odds. He went on to become a remarkable violin and cello player. In addition to excelling in music, he went on to earn a PhD in cranial facial science. As someone needing medical treatment, can you imagine the relief of meeting a doctor like him who knows and understands the road ahead as a patient?
RELATED: These Twins Are Identical And Share The Same Condition But Look Absolutely Nothing Alike
In fact, because he looks so different, he manages to make friends wherever he goes! Some have become lifelong friends, like Michael, Francis’ best friend.
Inspiring Story Of Francis Joel Smith
It doesn’t matter how smart Francis is or his success. What matters in his eyes is the beauty of adoption. He believes love is priceless. “Sadly, so many babies who may have challenges including birth defects are aborted because people think that they will not have a good quality of life,” he said. “However, adoption is a beautiful alternative in that it enables children to have a good chance at life. Children can indeed go on to live remarkable, inspiring lives that encourage others.”
If you were given up for adoption or if you were born with any disorder, know this–God made you on purpose for a purpose. So many of us live with Autism, ADHD, development disorders, or we’re missing limbs. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t worthy of leaving a mark in this world. Nor does it mean we don’t bear the mark of our creator who created us to be wonderfully and fearfully made.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 1 Heinous Act Changed His Life Forever, But Joshua Miele Uses His Tragedy to Help Others
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well,” Psalm 139:14.
WATCH: Francis Joel Smith Shares His Inspiring Story
LISTEN: 10-Year-Old Girl with Rare Facial Tumor Inspires | Woman Gives Birth To 14-lb Baby After 19 Losses
h/t: Save The Storks
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Francis J. Smith
Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for When You Can't Get through to Your Child - Your Daily Prayer - October 28
God can meet your child where they are and minister to them in ways that we cannot fathom. A prayerful parent is a powerful one.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for When You Can't Get through to Your Child - Your Daily Prayer - October 28
God can meet your child where they are and minister to them in ways that we cannot fathom. A prayerful parent is a powerful one.
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's Dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Artists
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Mac Powell Mac Powell's Catchy 'I Love Jesus' Official Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.