Charlie and I in July 2015 at Daytona Speedway
The day finally came that my son had looked forward to for a whole year or more. He still likes to build roller coasters and loves all his technology, but he loves watching racing. We are blessed to live near Daytona and when we drive by the stadium his eyes get really big and he starts breathing heavier.
It is February 21, the day of Daytona 500 at their brand new stadium. He couldn’t wait to go. It was just a moment for my husband and my son. They got there a little behind schedule of what they were shooting for but plenty of time before 12:00 where they do all the pre-show stuff. Through the week we kept trying to get tickets but they were still so high priced. We had a budget to stay in. My husband decided to go and get the tickets there, they would be desperate to sell them there.
He found many people who were selling them but the prices were super high still. He found a guy that was standing by a police officer so he thought that would be safe. He offered some really great tickets and they were off. My son Charlie was so excited to get in there and see the drivers. They got to the check-in and my husband was told they were fake tickets! My son started to cry and didn’t understand. He said we paid the money we saved! My husband texted me and he was tearful as well.
My heart was racing. I was telling him to go find the guy and get the police. He did talk to the police but there was nothing they could do. I kept saying out loud, “it’s just not fair!” I was trying to be calm being so far away. I hated that my boys heart was breaking and my husbands for that matter. How can someone see a boy so excited to get in there and not care that he would disappoint him?
I took a very deep breath and started praying. I prayed for my son and husband’s safety. I tried to pray for the guy who sold the tickets. I was angry. It started to make me think about all the different times that Charlie so far has been taken advantage of because of his condition. I know there is a reason and a plan for why that happened, but it still hurts.
God’s plan is perfect.
He has made me Charlie’s mom to protect and guide him. It is this kind of day I feel inadequate. I can’t protect him from everything. I don’t think God intends that though. I think He intends for us to guide them with Christ. He intends for us to physically care for them and teach them that we are in a sinful world and things like this happens at times.
I know God wants my response to be kind, loving, and most of all forgiving. It isn’t fair. It isn’t cool. It hurts, but God has got it all covered.
He will take care of the sin, I don’t need to.
Thank you Lord again for helping me to focus on you and not the hurt. I want to respond with love and patience. Keep helping us all to respond in this way no matter the hurt. Let us all keep trusting in your perfect plan.
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Blessings,
Patty Myers
autismblessings
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