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What is the chief end of man?
Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

That is question #1 of the 107 Catechism questions, a series of questions and answers that sums up what God has revealed to us through His living testimony, the Bible. It is also the answer to the age-old question, "What is the meaning of life?" It is impossible to know how to glorify and enjoy Him if one has no knowledge of the Scriptures.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading through this dialogue, and feel there's much I'd like to offer. First of all, with all due respect, I'd like to remind us all that we are talking about a human being. A child. Her name is Juliana - a most beautiful name, I'm sure you all agree. I have found myself touched in much the same way as many of you, and have found myself actually grieving over her. I have 6 children, and my youngest is almost exactly Juliana's age. I suppose, therefore, it really hit home, and I find myself watching all the things she does in all her "normal" ways, and realizing how "Juliana can't do that." But do I curse God for what some can't help but see as hideous? No; Juliana is beautiful to me. I don't understand why everyone insists on calling her the girl without a face either - for simplicity's sake, in news titles, I suppose (although I did see one that stated that she was born without facial bones, which is the correct statement) - but she of course has a face, and yes, it's very different from all the rest of us normal people (and the irony is, that range is so very broad). Many things were said in an attempt to make sense out of Juliana's situation. Let these things be added:

"Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?" Exodus 4:11 Yes, God is Creator and sovereign, in control of all things.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16 In this estate of sin & misery, Juliana's condition is a result of a genetic anomaly, but still not a sick joke, mean-spirited, unknown by God, or any other errant thing we think about God with our struggling, feeble minds. No;

"For I know the plans I have for [Juliana]," declares the LORD,"plans to prosper [her] and not to harm [her], plans to give [her] hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11(brackets mine, for effect) Who but God could make such a promise as that with one such as Juliana?
Dear friends, know that

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

There have been some passionate comments thrown around in this conversation. I have to admit I was furious with ones spitting on Juliana's worth. I wonder if those of you making such comments would feel the same way about a maimed and disfigured puppy. I had a Grandpa who had arterial sclerosis, and had to have one leg amputated and then the other. I had a one-armed Walmart employee help me locate something recently. What about that poor precious baby whose mother cut its arms off - do you truly believe everything should be done in such a case to put the child out of its perceived future misery? What about severe burn victims, people born with excessive facial birth marks...do I understand that there are those who believe we should put such "out of their misery" because they will lead a life of pain and indignity? How about war victims, left maimed, disfigured, and with medical problems? The obese? I think you open up a topic with which you need to think a little before you make such haughty, repugnant, narcissistic comments. And perhaps the latter adjective is really where this is all at - it's up to us to give these people dignity. Maybe these comments have far more to do with your discomfort in dealing with such sorts than any supposed virtue ("compassion") you're attempting to uphold.

Christ made it clear that in this world we will have troubles. This is a truth that none of us escapes. We all experience pain of various sorts, offenses and indignities of various sorts. Two things: 1) I find it interesting how many "poor girl/ poor parents" comments there are. Jesus is near to the brokenhearted. There is no better place to be than near God! Who can know the blessings this family knows because Juliana is so "abnormal." 2)Don't you need Juliana? I need Juliana. Don't we get so caught up in the rat race, and in pursuing our own pleasures that we (who are Believers) forget to glorify God and (we all) neglect what Christ called "the least of these"? Someone had a problem with the parents letting Juliana's story be known, asserting that they "just want the attention." Can there be any doubt that these parents agonized over this decision? Obviously, Juliana has been on this earth almost 2 years, only recently to our knowledge. Do you not think they must believe that enduring those who surely care only to exploit her and all the harsh comments like yours will be worth the exposure that will surely ensure the best expertise in the world, financial help, and giving the community of human beings an opportunity to grow in true
compassion and character. Juliana is not disgusting. What's disgusting (and ironic) is people who themselves have the character of an ogre and see her as disgusting.

All right, this thing's so long nobody's probably even reading it all - but what a country where we can banter as long as we want! I thank God for Juliana. She has greatly impacted our family. She has given me opportunity to teach my children true humanity, that we would never want to make anyone feel badly because of how they are designed. She and her family remind me continually of what's important (lessons I have hard to learn yet). That different does not need to be considered weird, ugly, unlovable or even unapproachable. Juliana is precious. Have you ever seen such a loving child? What an incredible job her parents and sister are doing of loving and affirming her, that she would be so warm to everyone she meets. I suppose, unfortunately, with my ending comment, some of you will insist on some sort of sad, perverse conclusion, but I thank the LORD for the Wetmores. I needed that family.