Sometimes, someone else says something so full of truth and love that it feels like they’re speaking directly to the heart of Ploppals. Recently, Episcopal priest and father Joseph Yoo shared a reflection about his son, who is on the autism spectrum. His words stopped us in our tracks.
When people ask if he ever prays for his son to be “healed,” Joseph responds:
“Healed from what? Healed from being exactly who he is? Healed from the way his brain dances with the world in a rhythm we’re still learning to hear?”
Joseph’s answer is simple and profound:
“My son is not a problem to solve. He is not broken. He is a masterpiece. You don’t fix masterpieces, you honor them. You sit in awe. You let them change how you see everything else.”
✨ Yes, this.
At Ploppals, our mission is to spread the message that every person is infinitely worthy and lovable, no matter their circumstances. Our toys, books, and bundles are just the vehicles — the deeper truth is this: you are not defective, you are not less than, you are a masterpiece.
Joseph reminds us that difference isn’t something to erase. It’s something to celebrate:
“Yes, he is different. But that difference is where wonder lives. It’s where God whispers. And if that makes you uncomfortable? Good. Holy things usually do.”
✨ Yes, this.
Instead of praying for normal, Joseph prays for vision:
“God help me see him more clearly. God help me love him in a way that he continues to bloom into the person you always intended him to be.”
This is the kind of love Ploppals exists to echo — the kind that doesn’t try to fix, but instead chooses to see, to honor, and to celebrate.
💛 At Ploppals, we believe what Joseph believes: you don’t fix masterpieces — you love them, you honor them, and you let them remind you of the wonder all around.
Want to hear Joseph’s full reflection?
📹 Watch the reel on Instagram
🌐 Visit him at josephyoo.com
The full transcript:
"Some well-intentioned people have asked if I’ve ever prayed for my son to be healed. For those of you who may not know my son is on the autism spectrum. And I always respond, healed from what? Healed from being exactly who he is? Healed from the way his brain dances with the world in a rhythm that we’re still learning to hear?
Listen very carefully and very closely. My son is not a problem to solve. He is not a math equation that God got wrong. He is not broken. He is not defective. He is not missing some holy part that the rest of us, apparently, may have. He is a masterpiece. In every storm, in every silence, in every word, in every spark, he is a masterpiece.
Do we face challenges? Hell yes we do! Do I pray? Absolutely! Sometimes it’s the only thing I got, but my prayer is never “God make him normal”. It’s “God help me see him more more clearly”. It’s “God help me love him in a way that he continues to bloom into the person you always intended him to be”. It’s “God help me shut up when silence says more than words ever could”. You don’t fix masterpieces, you honor them. You sit in awe. You let them change how you see everything else.
My son and all of his peers are not less than. Yes, he is different. But that difference is where wonder lives. It’s where God whispers, and if that makes you uncomfortable? Good . Holy things usually do.
Maybe his difference is isn’t the exception maybe it’s the invitation. so don’t waste prayers trying to make him normal pray for a world with eyes to see him rightly And hearts big enough to love him well."
Joseph Yoo, Episcopal priest