It’s true. Misery loves company. And probably the reason one of my favorite shows is The Middle, a sitcom about the misadventures of a mid-western family not very unlike my own. Duct-taped appliances? Special needs teens and a seat-of-the-pants mother? Check. It’s a show that makes me laugh because the Hecks (or rather their script writers) “get it”. Life is a daily walk into the precarious … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving: Finding God in the turmoil of special needs parenting
My daughter once accused her older brother of opening his eyes during dinner prayer, not realizing, of course, she implicated herself in the process. Classic. But last week the violator of the “Super-Spiritual Guide to Prayer Protocol” wasn’t 10 years old, she was 49. Guilty as charged, I opened my eyes mid-prayer when a woman in my prayer group said a surprising thing: “Thank you, God, for the … [Read more...]
The Gathering
His Church, Our Weakness, Pure Joy. The band hit the first note and people flooded forward, dancing before they had even left their seats. An oversized tricycle sat on the perimeter just in case it was needed, and jumper cables lay beside the alter. I could feel my heart race; I’d been waiting two years to experience this. Actually, I'd been waiting twenty years - every since the first moment my … [Read more...]
Before and After
Photo Source For almost 32 years, my life has been divided into before and after. Before our first child was born, And after he came into our lives. Before the doctor came in to say something was wrong, And after we agreed to send our son to a bigger hospital by ambulance. Before another doctor called with a diagnosis, And after our newborn was life flighted 750 miles away for … [Read more...]
Angels Unaware
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2 Have you ever met someone and felt an instant bond? That’s what happened the day I met Katie. We both were new to Oxford, Ohio, a sleepy little college town in southwest Ohio. My husband and I, along with our son, Joel (who has autism), had been worshipping at the Oxford Vineyard … [Read more...]
It Is Written
Yesterday was a very bad day. And it had very little to do with it being overcast, cold and wet. (Although that didn’t help.) It had to do with several phone calls that resulted in having to bring home my oldest son after an alarming conversation he’d had with the school social worker, followed by another 20-minute phone call from another teacher reporting a bullying incident she witnessed … [Read more...]