I’ve worn glasses since the age of 9, and have lost them a few times, and suffered. I have strong fears of not being able to see. They keep me away from things like rock climbing (what if they fell into a crack?) and watersports (what if they fell into the water??). My commitment to seeing as clearly as possible is very strong. I’ve also had difficulty getting my eyes to work together, so I’ve … [Read more...]
Not My Will, But God’s Will: 2 Ways to Keep You Focusing on God’s Will
How many of you feel weary because you are doing it all? You are driving all the kids to their activities and in total of charge of your child or children with disabilities? YOU are the one who is their nurse. YOU are the one who is their behavior therapist trying to minimize the meltdowns. YOU are the one who is their speech therapist helping them to speak. YOU are the one who is their … [Read more...]
God’s Surprises
November. Not my favorite month of the year. Darkness draws in as days shorten. Temperatures drop. The furnace hums. Coats, scarves and hats hang from the hall tree. I’m constantly wrapped in an alpaca blanket, trying to stay warm. I love the glories of fall foliage, but some of us (me included!) suffer from SAD—Seasonal Affective Disorder—so this can be a tough time of year. No wonder … [Read more...]
Love in the Age of Worry
Love in the Age of Worry “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” – Psalm 91:4 NLT I’d planned to write about Jesse this week. I'd planned a piece about theoretical fear. Jesse is my youngest child, and has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. As He is wont to do, God changed the plan. On a Tuesday … [Read more...]
How to Have Peaceful & Meaningful Conversation About Disability
I recently watched the new Netflix series, "Atypical." I won't go into a review of the show (though, in short, I found it relatable in many ways, despite disliking some plot lines), but I will mention one particular non-spoiler scene where the husband attends the autism support group with his wife (which he never has been to since the first time he tried and then quit.) The wife shared a story of … [Read more...]
Wholeness Does Not Mean Perfection: It Means Embracing Brokenness
I can’t tell you how many times, over my 32 year journey with autism, I have returned to this quote for inspiration: On July 4, 1999, a twenty-minute maelstrom of hurricane force winds took down twenty million trees across the Boundary Waters. A month later, when I made my annual pilgrimage up north, I was heartbroken by the ruin and wondered whether I wanted to return. And yet on each visit … [Read more...]