...Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid. They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?” “They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they put him.” After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. … [Read more...]
Special Needs Parent, You Still Matter
I’m going to tell you something now, and you might want to sit down before I do: You still matter. And not just matter—you are precious. Author Julie Barnhill reminds us that this is true, even amidst painful circumstances: “God watched over our construction from toes to fingertips to hair roots, and he has designed each of us to be exquisite, unequaled, and beyond compare. But it will always be … [Read more...]
30 Years of Blessings
My youngest son, Joel, who has autism, turned 30 last week! How to celebrate without over-stimulating his sensory system? Light bulb moment! Throw a party for family and closest friends at our church, The Oxford Vineyard. Joel loves our little church where 40-50 people worship on any given Sunday. No problem negotiating 30 of Joel’s favorite family and friends into that space without overwhelming … [Read more...]
the prayer you stopped praying
Can you even remember when you stopped praying for it? That thing you hoped for once upon a time but, as time moved on, faded from that hopeful place? I don't know about you, but I can't. I can't remember when I stopped praying for Zoe to talk. Friends would ask if she said any words, and I would answer yes, because she did. Technically. But, of her four or five words, we were lucky if … [Read more...]
Pick Your Battles: when losing doesn’t have to mean loss
Parenting experts have been known to quip the phrase “pick your battles.” In my experience as a special needs parent, however, the problem isn’t just about which battles to fight, but knowing when it’s okay to lose. Long ago I surrendered the battle with my autistic sons over a healthy diet in favor of settling for almost anything that would keep my picky, OCD eaters alive and breathing. … [Read more...]
CLEARER at a DISTANCE
Seldom, as a parent of an adult child with special needs, do I get to “see” my son at a distance. He is always up-close and right by my side as I’m helping meet his needs in many areas, including: Showering Shaving Cutting food Getting clothing on/off Maneuvering a curb Walking through a crowd Getting through a rough discipline issue …and I find that everything is simply NORMAL … [Read more...]