Scared Some days I'm just scared. I want to be brave. After all, don't the scriptures command, 'Be strong and courageous!'?? In my head, that makes sense. God will take care of me, of my son, right? I don't take my son out much. A few nerve wrecking moments running up Boston road and naked in a public park ... my resources had been depleted for all time. Plus, I can't wrap my arms around him … [Read more...]
I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up!
“Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” I used to roll my eyes every time that commercial came on the television. My friends and I made it into a joke, working the reference into our conversations. Then last Thursday afternoon occurred. I am recovering from extensive surgery on both my feet. I’ve spent the last several months in a wheelchair with casts on my legs. I have been astonished … [Read more...]
Known by God
"Finding God is not hard. Letting God find us...is hard" (Nick Wagner, Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction, Vol. 22 No. 3). As the mother of a 31-year-old son with autism, I long to be known by God. I often need comfort, discernment, direction, or just a simple "hug" from the Holy Spirit. I need to know that God loves me, even with all of my shortcomings. Lectio Divina, … [Read more...]
One Thing I’ve Learned from Special Needs … Pray
If there's one thing I've learned from special needs ... pray. Pray. Before everything else. Pray. When I'm overwhelmed and in the midst of the chaos. Pray. When there's nothing else. Pray. With my eldest I can remember two distinct times of prayer when he was a baby. Two times. Two times I cried out to God in need in those early years. I'm sure I prayed, but life was just easier with a … [Read more...]
Thanks to the Professionals Who Bless Our Special Needs Life
Today I appreciate professionals who give great care, good advice, and are wise enough to consider what it’s like to be a struggling child and a parent of that child. In contrast to my last post about professionals who add stress, here are some very thankful shout-outs to those who made our lives easier: To read the rest, click over to Key Ministry for Families ... … [Read more...]
5 Lessons our Children Need Us to Learn
As our children with special needs grow into adulthood, they need us to grow too. We have a legally binding contract in our home stating that if Max keeps his body healthy for the day, he will be rewarded with enough sugar to propel him into several lunar orbits. Yes, I’m telling you unashamedly, this is actually part of what we call our “healthy body program.” My 25 year-old son has a few … [Read more...]