I have a confession: I’ve been struggling during my worship service lately. If that sounds strange, please let me explain … From a very early age, I have known that I was created to worship the Lord through song. I knew as a child in elementary school, singing with the children’s choir during church services. In 7th grade, I sang my first church solo. I can clearly remember standing … [Read more...]
Summer Prayer for Special-Needs Families
My seven-year-old son with level 3 autism doesn't know many words, but his favorite word is "school" and we hear it at least once an hour all day long, even when he's out for summer break. It isn't his favorite time of year, which makes it hard on the entire family. As we move through the summer, I've been whispering lots of prayers for our family and for your family too. Praying you find strength … [Read more...]
The Length of Love
Love has no dimensions. It cannot be measured, boundless as it is. But I have felt lately that perhaps length is the best of all love’s rough estimates. What are the lengths to which someone goes for love? How long does love last, how far through difficulty will it carry us? How far behind us will it trail after we’ve left this world behind? What is the length of love? I give up nearly every … [Read more...]
when a stranger told my child she was too big to be held
"Girl, you're too big to be held!" As I held our second youngest child in my arms, I watched my girl's expression change from one of joy to one of shame. Her eyes fell as she started to wiggle down. Strangers had made similar comments before, but she never appeared to be bothered by them until now. I kept on holding her, as my mind assembled a menu of possible responses. I could tell the … [Read more...]
Retreating in God’s Hands: respite for the special needs parent
Hands have always been a special symbol and image of love for me. It wasn’t until I recognized my grandfather’s once-familiar, farm-hardened, weathered hands, gently laid one over the other in a pose of rest at his funeral, that I finally knew this man really was the same one I had adored all my life. It was only then I was able to say goodbye. My grandmother’s gift to me that same day was his … [Read more...]
The One Thing I Do Each Day to Stay Strong (And What Watching “The Middle” Has to Do with It)
You and I are in a battle and the stakes are high. A parent of a child with a special need faces overwhelming demands each day. There are therapy needs, educational needs, social needs… and these are just the needs of our child! We must also take care of our own adult needs including maintaining our home, our marriage, and our health... and more. We also have an enemy who would like nothing … [Read more...]