When I went with my family on an inner-city mission trip two years ago, I’d like to think it was because I am uber-spiritual and occasionally walk on water (when no one is looking). But the truth is, I was afraid. On the morning our bus pulled out of the church parking lot, I pleaded with God to overcome my fear, hoping for a heavenly hammer to smash through the challenges that inevitably seem to … [Read more...]
Special Needs, Special Community
When the young woman flashed me a friendly smile and asked, “How are you?” my involuntary shrug and the words “I’ve been better,” tumbled out before I could stop myself. I could have sworn I meant to offer her the obligatory “Fine,” followed by my typical Sunday greeting smile. My veneer, however, had worn too thin to hide the stress of another morning battle with my son with autism, the young man … [Read more...]
Faith of Our Fathers
It was inevitable. With two career Air Force grandfathers, at least one of our children was bound to inherit the military gene. Our first clue should have been David’s penchant for drab green and all-things-camouflage. Hands down, his happiest Halloween he dressed as an army soldier. Over the years, as his collection of little green men grew into battalions and his interests graduated to books … [Read more...]
On the Road Again: Coping with comparison in special needs parenting
It was one of those “ah-ha” moments. Three years ago, if someone told me my son would one day drive an 18-hour trip to South Georgia, I would have laughed. Or cried. Or told you very politely to jump in a lake. (Preferably, a very deep one.) Driving lessons were not going well. But just celebrating his 20th birthday, my son (who exhibits typical traits of ASD like anxiety and hyper-focus) is … [Read more...]
Are We There Yet?
As soon as I entered the room I knew something was wrong. All eyes around the conference table turned to me as the principal asked, “Mrs. Anderson, where have you been? Our meeting was supposed to have started half an hour ago.” I was dumbfounded. Really? 30 minutes? Because I had been waiting for them the past half hour in the front office! (All the while, a very confused secretary had … [Read more...]
Give It a Rest
“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” (Ps 127:2) I was stumped. I wondered if Solomon, for all his wisdom, might have benefited from my ADHD meds for better focus. The various ideas in Psalm 127 seemed too random and disjointed to be together. Finally, I cried uncle, and turned to … [Read more...]