“So much will change,” they say, pointing to your swollen belly, nearly giddy with the kind of knowledge that only experience supplies. “Your life will never be the same!” I know, you think smugly. I’ve heard it, I’ve read it, it’s the mantra you mothers all repeat. But they’re right, of course. While things will change, many of those changes are expected: those that arise from the training of … [Read more...]
You Never Know Until You Try
Last summer, we celebrated Samuel's 10th birthday. Sam likes to add items to his Amazon wishlist for his birthday and Christmas. He had a few things on his list, but I had a different idea I wasn't very sure of. Most 10 year old's already have bikes and know how to ride them. He would definitely be too big for a tricycle, and other than his Big Green Machine (a low-riding three-wheeler with levers … [Read more...]
My Normal Is Someone Else’s Worst Case Scenario
Last week my husband and I went to an autism support group meeting in the town we moved to a few months ago. Fourteen of us sat around a table, introducing ourselves and telling our stories. One of the moms couldn't get through her story without crying. Her son had only been diagnosed two months ago. I teared up with her, remember those early weeks of not even being able to say the word … [Read more...]
Who Are You Leaning On?
The other day I was confronted with the fact that I am not listening enough to God. At first I felt defensive inside. I started saying, “I just finished a great Bible Study and I do my devotionals weekly and pray many times each day!” They asked me again slower, “Are you taking the time to listen to God?” Wow, I felt so convicted. The answer was really no. I’m not taking the time out to listen … [Read more...]
Autism and Church: It’s a Good Thing, Part II
Back in December I wrote about the frustration and embarrassment of a particular church service with our 30-year-old son, Joel, who has autism. Joel could not sit still that day, blew out the Advent candles, muttered under his breath the entire service, walked into the bathroom and flushed the toilet several times (you have to understand that this is a very small church, and our one bathroom is … [Read more...]
Press on Toward the Goal
My dad would often tell me that when Billy Graham was asked what surprised him most about life, he answered, “the brevity of it all.” It's true—all of a sudden it’s 2016 and my son Max has just turned 25. Along with brevity, this new year's day reminds me of several other startling truths: 1) It is becoming less plausible that I’m carrying postpartum baby weight. 2) Max has grown a beard, … [Read more...]