Love in the Age of Worry “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” – Psalm 91:4 NLT I’d planned to write about Jesse this week. I'd planned a piece about theoretical fear. Jesse is my youngest child, and has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. As He is wont to do, God changed the plan. On a Tuesday … [Read more...]
Don’t Ever, Ever Think You Walk Alone
I remember my father once telling me, “It’s dangerous to live.” What he meant was that life is full of risks and dangers and that if we are constantly worried about those risks and dangers, then we’re not really living. I’ve often recounted this quote whenever a therapist overplayed the safety card with Ben – you know, when they say it wouldn’t be safe to transfer Ben into his walker or … [Read more...]
“Fear Is a Lie From the Pit of Hell”
Those words were so unexpected that they knocked me off my feet. And, yet, I knew exactly what he meant. Without hesitation, I wrote them into my iPhone. I didn’t want to forget what Joel Houston, leader of the Christian band Hillsong UNITED, had just said. In sharing stories over the years with many, many parents of children with a disability, I’ve learned that fear is the one thing that holds … [Read more...]
Mom’s Worst Critic
Have you heard her sneering, nasty thoughts? “Can’t get it together!” “Doesn’t do enough for her child!” “Babying him!” “Gosh, no one else complains at the school like that!” “So demanding! So chaotic! What a mess!” “If only those signs weren't missed, there might be a better outcome.” “Oh, my goodness! Should have caught that problem much sooner... Missed some important opportunities... … [Read more...]
There is so much to be thankful for!
It’s tough to get beyond the fear and negativity that the world throws us each day. At times, it seems relentless. When you add in the commercial pressures and the loneliness that the Christmas season often brings, it can be even tougher to see any abundance in our lives let alone be thankful. Every one of us get caught up in the busy-ness and urgency of the day and, little by little, can lose … [Read more...]
Prepare The Way
Some of us become parents by chance. Some become parents by choice. But no one I know chooses to become parents of a child with a disability. When that choice was made for us 23 years ago, our world instantly changed. There was no preparation, no training, no idea that anything other than a normal, healthy fetus was developing. From the moment Ben arrived, we were continuously given a laundry … [Read more...]