“I have a theory about Caillou,” Noah says. I have been bent over, picking things up in the front hallway. My three have been away from me, testing the patience of my parents for two weeks while I've finished my next book. So this mess, today? I’m okay with it. It’s proves they’re here. And I’ve missed them fiercely. “Dying, huh? Well, this should be interesting.” I stand up and face him. I … [Read more...]
All About Me
Years ago I was attempting to review the Sunday morning sermon with a younger Evan. It came down to one point. That our lives should be all about Jesus. I said to Evan, "Who's it all about?" His answer? "EVAN!" Yes. Most of our days are all about Evan. But in all honesty I don't want them to be about Evan or even Jesus. I want them to be all about ME. Recently, the bible verse 1 Corinthians … [Read more...]
Victory in the Seeming Loss of Special Needs Advocacy
It was a verbal game of chess. Winner takes all. If my son won the argument, we would return home. If I won, we would get out of the car and walk into the church. When John added a new reason why he didn’t want to go inside, I was sure he’d made a fatal mistake. He said he felt “stood up,” as he attended church each week. I countered with a correction, “’Stood up’ means showing up and no one is … [Read more...]
Keep It to Yourself and Just Smile
“Mom, he can do that himself, ” I heard an acquaintance say to me as I was helping my son with special needs down a few steps. I saw red – and it wasn’t for Valentine’s Day. I’m not sure if I should be ashamed or just plain honest, but my first thought was, “Who is she to tell me that my son with special needs can do that by himself?” Thankfully, as quickly as that thought came to me, the … [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...]
Jesus Isn’t Looking for Flashy
It's diapers at dawn and diapers at dusk. And a whole lot more in between. As a follower of Jesus, I didn't see this coming. This call to be a disciple of the mundane—changing diapers on a big kid, suctioning, stretching limbs, giving meds. Sometimes it crosses my mind—aren't there more lofty callings I'm equipped for? What about the other gifts God has given me? And then Calvin's alarm goes … [Read more...]