Dear Siestas,
Last week one of you alerted us to the fact that this special day was quickly approaching. Our minds immediately turned to a dear friend of Living Proof Ministries whose family has been touched by autism. This story is not about recommendations for treatments or medications. It’s a story about a miracle and we hope so much it will bless you today.
Love,
Beth
Today, April 2, is World Autism Awareness Day. This is an unusual day to celebrate, but this is a day my family can rejoice in. I have a wonderful 18-year-old son who has autism and is blessed by God.
When my baby boy was born he was the most unusual baby I had ever seen. He had a cone-shaped head, ears rolled up like a newspaper, a big bruise on his face from the forceps, and he was blue and wrinkly. And he broke my tailbone! But he was just what my husband and I ordered—a baby. We had lost our last two babies in miscarriages. Our son was perfect in our eyes and we felt he could do no wrong
As our baby grew, he did things a little differently—like crawling backwards, for example. He spoke languages unheard of and thought the rest of us understood. He seemed to go off into his own world a lot. At times he seemed not to see or hear, but other times it seemed like he could. By the time he was two, I still had not heard the word “mama.” I was pregnant with his little sister and had extreme morning sickness that lasted the entire pregnancy. We had his hearing and vision tested and everything was normal. Finally, my mother talked us into taking him to the local school district for testing. So my very pregnant self, my husband, and our son went to the testing center. I watched as my two-and-half-year-old baby boy was taken by some sweet ladies to be evaluated. After two-and-half hours, our son was returned to us and we were told we would get the results in a couple of weeks. What! I have to wait longer?
Over the next two weeks we determined that he was fine. He simply learned at his own pace. We just needed to work with him more and everything would be fine. I hate denial!
We went to the meeting with the school district and were bombarded with words we weren’t familiar with. Once we heard the phrase “autistic symptoms,” we never heard another word. We had no clue where to turn or what to do. We were given a mountain of papers to review and read. None of them was in everyday English and they told us to call if we had any questions. What I needed was a translator!
I sent the reports to our wonderful pediatrician and asked what it all meant. A few days later I met with her and she explained that our son had many symptoms of autism. However, the education and medical communities did not like to label children that young. I asked what we should do or where we should go. She suggested that I look at local schools for special children or at the school district’s program. So I began researching everything I could in-between bouts of nausea. (Remember, this was before the internet was in every home.)
I became very angry with God. I could not believe He would allow this to happen to my child. I told God to leave us alone if this was the best He could do. But Jesus never left our side.
Based on what we could afford and what the school district offered, we decided to enroll him in the district’s Preschool for Special Needs when he turned three. Little did I know what a blessing this would be.
Mrs. Trainer was my son’s teacher for three years and Ms. Donna was her faithful assistant. His first class only had 4 students. With the specialists who frequented the classroom, it was often a one-to-one ratio. Mrs. Trainer and Ms. Donna worked with the students and the parents. She taught us how to teach our children, helped us keep dairies of our son’s progress, and encouraged us through hard times. They were sent to us by God, I believe.
Our son did not make much progress at first and it was very frustrating. We began sign language and flash cards to try to develop his language, only to become more frustrated. He was now four years old and had echolalia, which means he repeated everything we said. It was like living with a parrot that mimicked everything he heard. He was not potty trained. And he never called me mommy except when I said it first.
Then God blessed us again. Our son got the worst stomach virus you could ever imagine! It lasted a week and I will spare you the details. Let’s just say I had no furniture or any clothes that weren’t permanently marked. He was given a medication to stop the vomiting and it worked after a week, but little did I know what was about to happen.
We had enrolled our son in a Stay and Play program at a local church so he would be around “normal children.” The week after the virus, his Stay and Play teacher stopped by our house to ask me what medication we had put him on. I told her we had not put him on any medication. She said that he sat during story time! And followed instructions! I drove her crazy asking every detail. I began to watch and pay attention over the next couple of days and I did see improvement.
I called the neurologist and asked what could have caused the changes. He wasn’t sure, but he told me about a medication similar to the anti-nausea medication that we might want to consider. Unfortunately, he said it had long term side effects. I hate these types of decisions. We tried the medication and our son began to communicate at first in sign, and then verbally. He became potty trained! And all those flash cards I used for years? He knew those words and how to use them! He made great progress between four and five. God helped us find what we needed through a virus. Only God could turn something so bad into good. Amen?
(While the use of medication was a turning point in our son’s story, we believe his progress came from a combination of many things. There is certainly no magic pill to cure autism. Using medication is a personal choice and one that does not work for many autistic children. The side effects can often outweigh the results.)
Our son started going to kindergarten part-time at age five. He was our district’s first all-day-kindergartner the next year. Yes, he went through kindergarten three times—and twice in the same year. He progressed with teachers hand-picked by God and me for the next six years. Don’t get me wrong, I was still mad at God. But God never left my side. How else would I have known what to do?
When the school district told me he would not be able to do this or that, we would just work on it at home or during the summer. We always had tutors and worksheets and projects outside of school. We worked on social issues and developed friendships. My husband and I worked non-stop and our son worked very hard. He always proved everyone wrong. He would exceed what was expected. He had teachers who encouraged him and friends who supported him, but mostly he had a God who loved and watched over him.
When our son was nine, my mother talked me into letting him attend Vacation Bible School at her church. She promised me she would be in the room next to his and would hand-pick the teacher. So, I let him go against my better judgment. God was so sweet to put him in a class with his best friend from school. By the end of that week, his friend and the VBS had taught him all about Jesus. So on a Friday night in June, 2000, my son asked Jesus into his heart on his bunk bed. Then he asked if we could go to church on Sunday. I said we would see. My husband wanted to know what all of this was about. I said, “Don’t worry, he will forget about it by tomorrow.” On Sunday morning, early in the morning, my son insisted and insisted and insisted we go to my parents’ church so he could walk the aisle and make his profession of faith. We went (again, against my better judgment) and at the end of the service my son pulled—and I do mean pulled—me down the aisle. That day my husband was saved as well. I was so angry at God for coming back into my home, I was crying. Everyone thought I was crying for joy. No, I wanted nothing to do with this! I was mad!
We went home and my husband asked what we should do now. And I told him either we do it all the way or not at all. So we began doing it all the way the best way we knew how and I worked through my anger with God.
The way Jesus worked his way back into our home was so sweet. We still had hard times and many joyful times as well. But God never left our side. This year my son will graduate from high school and attend college in the fall. We consider him completely healed by God and believe God has a glorious plan for the rest of his life. We cannot wait for it to unfold. We believe God has a perfect plan for each person He created. I pray that you will seek out the path God has for you and follow Jesus no matter where it leads, because sometimes what seems like a bad thing might be a blessing in disguise.
I ask that you lift up prayers today for all families that have children with special needs, but please say a little extra prayer for those with autism. May God bless you.
Siestas, we would love to fill up our comments with prayers for these families today. Our friend has a very tender heart for the mothers who may read this who have worked so hard, remained faithful to God, and have seen little or no progress from their autistic children. She shared with me her heartache for these parents who have such a difficult life. Please help us encourage these sisters with your prayers. Thank you ladies!
Lord, only You can enable us to be victorious concerning what has been allowed in our lives by You. Rom. 8:26-28, the Spirit Himself pleads in our behalf with groanings too deep for utterance, and prays in accordance with Your will for us. You work ALL things together for our good-for those who love God and are called according to Your design and purpose! May they know that You are their Source of strength, Lord, for those parents who have special needs children. You gave them those children as a blessing-a blessing, Ps. 127:3. You are their Creator, who does not make mistakes! They are fearfully and wonderfully made. I pray that these precious, worn-out parents would not get angry with you, but that they would understand that every good and perfect gift comes from you-with Whom there is NO variation or shadow of turning-in You is light, and there is no darkness at all! You are good, and Your lovingkindness endures forever!! Praise You, Lord! Be their all! I pray that they would cling desperately to you, and require You as their vital necessity to get through the day, Lord, because sufficient for the day is it’s own trouble. We love you, we want You. Show Yourself mighty to these hurting parents. May they glorify You in the midst of their pain. Phil. 1:20 In Your Precious and Holy Name, Lord, AMEN!:)
Please add me to your prayer list. I REALLY need prayer. My son is 5 and was diagnosed with ADHD and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. I am devestated. I’m a basket case at times. My husband and I just find ourselves crying out “why” and “what did we do wrong”. I see my precious son struggling in preschool. He starts kindergarten this year. I get anxiety just thinking about it. Please pray for us. We have seen God move mightily in our lives. We know He can do the same with our son. It’s just hard dealing with the battle that goes on your mind sometimes.
Thanks so much!
Shannon in Arkansas
Father,
Thank you for this amazing testimony of how you pursue us even when we are not asking. Your mercy is measureless. Please be with the mommies of autistic children. We know they have a special place in your heart. Please show them in your love in ways only Christ can. Let them know how wide and long, high and deep your love is for them, especially during a moment when the children need calming.
May an extra portion of your resurrection power be given to them today so that they may keep pressing on toward the goal you have for them.
In Your precious Son’s name,
Amen
Amy-GA
Our sweet Father,
Would you give special comfort and encouragement to those parents who spend themselves for their children. Would you continue to open their eyes to see their child the way that you see them. Instill in that child a knowledge of your purpose for them and the truth that they were knitted together by You, the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
Make any desperation ‘from’ into desperate ‘to’ You God. Jesus, we remind ourselves that you have given us everything we need for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us. You, dear parents, have been given the privilege of this call that so few could ever imagine.
"Thank You, God, for these very special children who show us Your love. Please bless them and their families. Thank You for Robin, the young lady in our church who has autism. Strengthen her family. Bless all these families with spiritual blessings. Thank You for Your rich mercy & grace. Praise You for turning what seems bad into good for your kingdom and Your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen."
Father,
I pray this morning for Ben, Emily, Faith and Hope. I know that each of these children belong to You and are precious to You. I pray that Your presence will go before them as they journey forward.
Thank you for giving these children the families that You have given them. Please strengthen, equip, and encourage these families as they care for their children. Remind them that You will not let the waters pass over them and that You will never leave them.
Father, I also pray for special times of refreshment for these parents who give selflessly.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen
Lord,
Thank you for your provision. For your patience with us in the midst of trial. Thank you that EVERY child knit togehter in thier mother’s womb is beautiful, precious and HIGHLY VALUED by you. May we, the body of Christ, love as you love and servce as you servce. Open our eyes to the needs around us. Give us your heart, Lord. Bless those who face the journey of autism. Give them courage and wisdom. Give them Spirit sight to see their child with all the wonder and hope you give. How we adore you. YOU are magnificent! Worthy and ABLE to lift the heavy hearted.
Oh Lord Jesus, please touch the lives of all parents with children who have special needs, especially autism. Many are struggling to understand and need your guidance and gentle reminders that you are there! Love them and allow miracles to happen for them and their children, no matter how small it may seem. In Jesus’ name we pray.
For all you ladies praying for us mothers who have children who have autism, I say thank you! It is a hard road to walk and sometimes it is by prayer from others that we mothers go on. This is an epidemic that has hit our children with no end in sight. I do see God’s hand in guiding me to raise the son He gave us that has autism. I find miracles in the smallest of things. I too pray for the families that are walking on the road that we are on. Our children deserve to be able to have God’s best and be able to talk and sing praises Him. Oh, how I long for that day!
Thank you for this precious post. I too have a son with autism. We have been blessed to see God’s had at work in his life, working and changing and helping my son to grow.
Out of our journey, God gave me the idea of the word AWEtism!
Because of the AWE I can see along the way.
I have a little online store called “The AWEtism shoppe” with some positive Autism Awareness products (www.cafepress.
com/awetism.
I also have a blog that I often share the joys of having an AWEtistic son.
Come visit me sometime.
http://www.HisGraceAmazesMe.
blogspot.com.
God bless you!
Donna
Lord,
Thank you for your great and magnificent love for us. Thank you for your healing touch in our lives. Thank your for your acceptance of us, just as we are. Spiritually, we are all children with special needs. Our souls are mis-shapen, unable to communicate…..
We ask special favor for families who are raising children with special needs. Grant them strength, and grace, and wisdom. Bring people into their lives and into the lives of their children who will bless them and teach them, and love them. Send people who also have grace and strength and wisdom and love. Help these families and individuals experience your kind of acceptance in their bilogical and church families, and within their communities. Protect these hearts from being lead away from You spiritually.
Teach us, Lord, to love these individuals and their families. For we know that you create each individual to have relationship with you and to share in your love. Help us be a vessel that Your love can flow through.
Thank you for your great faithfulness and promises.
God,
I just lift every mother, father and sibilings of autistic children up to you. God I pray for your wisdom to lead them in the decisions they face and I pray for an extra portion of your peace and grace over them as they deal with this challenge everyday. I pray for your goodness and faithfulness to this mothers as they handle the care and everyday task that they must face. God just pour your blessings out on these families. I pray all this in your holy name, Jesus. AMEN.
Beth-I just finished up your Psalms of Ascent bible study at my church 2 nights ago. Today I ran across your blog by mistake-no, by God’s hand, I have no doubt. I have an 11 years old daughter who is special needs and your recent entry on autism touched me like nothing before ever has. She was born perfectly healthy and at 5 years old was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She had surgery to remove it at 5 during which she had a stroke. She has developmental delays and physical affectations from this as well as being currently only chemo for the 2nd time because the tumor has grown back. As a mother, I struggle with the thought of the things she may never be able to do due to her limitations. Although I am a strong believer, your autism post is one of the first tangible posts to give me hope that she can have a “normal” future(although that is typically a word I avoid). Thank you so much for all you do. I so wanted to join you in New Orleans-it’s only about 4 hours from me. You ladies have a great time and God Bless!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/shelbimae
One day late, but praying still!
“Lord Jesus, please be near to families that are blessed with children who have autism. Comfort them, and give them your mighty strength through the daily grind.Be their manna, day in and day out. Be ever present, providing for these families’ and children’s needs. Use these precious children to bring glory to Your kingdom. Fill these sweet one’s lives with those who love them as You do. You are able, and we Praise You. Amen.”
Sweet Jesus I just come to you on behalf of all my brothers and sisters in Christ-both parents and children-who find themselves dealing with such circumstances as this precious family written about here. Lord You are sovereign and grant every sweet bundle of joy that is created, the breath of life, and knit together every detail to keep our hearts beating and bodies working. I thank you that You see each need of every child and parent who has, is, and will ever deal with the demands of autism in their family.
I pray you would fill them with joy when the world beats on their door with bad knews.Be their peace when everything inside them wants to battle the truth of Your love, and carry them when they don’t have the strength to do “today”. We don’t always understand the allowance of certain circumstances, but we know when all we are given is a list of NO’s, question marks and unfinished thoughts, we can find our Yes in You, and trust You to be enough to make up for the blank and unmarked pages. Bring healing and deliverance where you may, and perseverance for the difficult road ahead.
I pray that every child or adult that struggles with autism in any way would know the love of Jesus if they know nothing else. If they are unable to perceive the things of daily life I pray they would find peace in knowing they have value, beauty, acceptance,and worth because of You. I pray strength, hope, patience and love for every parent and teacher who works with these darling angels. Go before each family and carve out the path for their hearts to follow You in the midst of their frustrations and weary spirits. Be their portion and the romancer of their souls.
In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
Sweet Sweet Jesus,
With a broken heart for families struggling with autism, please be a very real presence and a mighty strong force in their lives. Hold them in Your loving arms in a real tangible way.
Thank you for my very healthy children…thank you.
I lift up parents that are dealing with the challenges of raising children with autism. I have no first-hand experience, but I do know that you make all things perfect. There are no mistakes and I thank you that we can take comfort in that knowledge.
May you pour out your blessings upon these parents and these children. Allow us to learn from them as much as they learn from us.
Anon 6:07, our friend wanted you to know that other people may not see the blessing of each advancement your child makes. And they may not see the potential God is showing you, but you should believe what God tells and shows you. You will face pity and prejudice many times but use God’s grace to forgive these. God will provide what you need each day.
Blessings,
Amanda
Dear Father, Creator and giver of all things good. We thank you for your love and care. Touch all of those with your healing hands who are autisic. Grant peace, comfort, and strength to their families. Give them wisdom and guidance and the faith to trust you. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ!
Amen
Heavenly Father,
Be with the mothers and fathers who are in the trenches – caring for children with autism and other special needs. Would you give them your great wisdom and peace and they make constant decisions on how to care for these special children. Hold them in your arms, strengthen them, and guide them through these days. May your blessings be poured out upon them and upon their children. Amen.
I am a mother to a most Precious 16 year old boy who is a wonderful creation of our heavenly Father. John has Asperger’s Syndrome (on the autism spectrum), so life is a bit challenging for him at times. But I know God is glorified in this, too. I am so very grateful to all of you for your prayers for our special children. Blessings.
Praise GOD for special needs preschool workers. I have a son that is 3 with Down’s and started preschool last fall. He loves it and all his teachers are precious. He also repeats everything we say…(but I didn’t know that had a fancy word). My baby calls me…Ahma:)
Lord Jesus, thank you for the people you have made special, thank you for extra chromosomes. Thank you for the many lessons you teach through special children and for the precious adults who work with and care for them. For Your Glory Amen.
John 9.1-3
Matthew 11.25
Please pray, pray, pray. And please listen, listen, listen to what God responds. I’ve been in this autism walk now for almost 9 years. We autism families need Christian brethren who not only commit to prayer but commit to the point of action.
As the grandmother of a four year old boy who is on the spectrum, I just want to say thank you to all of you for your prayers for the parents of these very special children. As many have attested, they truly are a blessing. Just today I watched our Tripp run with glee and kick the ball while playing soccer with his Head Start class. It was just awesome! God is so good!!
Father, thank you for the blessing of others who understand that this is a hard road for parents as well as the children. I ask that you continue to work in all of their lives to show your glory, for we give you all the glory for your wisdom and love. In the sweet, precious name of Jesus, Amen.
I was so blessed to read this post. Our little grandson was born and showed so many signs of autism….I was so concerned because his grandfather had Asberger’s. I took two of my dear friends to see him (they thought I was being an overworried grandmother and they were concerned as well — he wouldn’t look at people, didn’t coo or respond). At any rate, I felt that God was telling my spirit that I should pray for his brain to
be reconfigured……and I did so often and with urgency. Praise God–this little child has truly
been healed, he loves people, he
has an incredible memory, he’s not 3 yet and he speaks as though he’s much older, cute sense of humor
and can count, spell some words.
I share this because I want to say,
PRAISE GOD! He is mighty and tenderhearted and I am so thankful!
I share this to encourage you.
Love to all of you siestas —
a devoted grandmother 🙂
Father God,
I pray a blessing on the moms and dads of children with autism. Please, Father, bless them with wisdom and knowledge as they deal with their children. Please, bless them with joy and open the eyes of their hearts to see the children as you do. Bless them with peace to go through each day and to lean on you to hold them each moment of each day.
In Jesus name, amen
PRAISE GOD for this miracle!
Our family adopted a beautiful 3 month old girl, who is now 6 and just been diagnosed with Aspberger’s syndrome, There is so much to learn and do, so many scary thoughts for her, but just finding out has helped because if you didn’t know her you would just think she was a drama queen or bossy! It is a road we have just started and we would appreciate all prayers to raise this child so that she can overcome and know God made her just the way she is suppose to be. Thank you dear Sisters.
Father in the name of Jesus, first I have to thank You for my special needs children. You showed me Your Glory in these children. When You called me as a nurse to a pediatric hospital you tendered up my heart for the most broken of children. I had no idea I would love some of my own that way as well. You have performed miracles in ways that no one would believe. Thank You for the high honor You have bestowed upon us mom’s that know. I have never been down the path some of these mom’s have been, they have seen much more heart ache and pain then I have. But You kindered my heart to them. Thank You for a love that is indescribable. I am blessed beyond measure to be able to tell other mom’s what You alone have done for us as a family. I pray for the mom’s who don’t know Your love for their child is stronger then their own. For the mom who is tiered of being embarrassed that her child can’t behave like “normal”, for the mom who knows her child can’t go to Sunday School, for the mom who doesn’t want to have company at Easter, because she is so tiered of hearing her family tell her what she is doing wrong, I offer up my heart felt plea: I pray You break into the silence and that they would hear Your still small voice. Make a way where there is none. I pray there would be a wall that would protect these mom’s from the words of the ignorant. Place a finger on the lips of those who would voice their opinions and let a sweet song sing in the ears of these mom’s, that they would never feel the sting of unkindness from those with “perfect” children…the ones with with parents who may judge harshly, things they don’t understand! Bring compassion to the hearts of mom’s who don’t know this pain and the joys of it as well.
Amen.
If I could add one thing: When you see a kid in VBS or Sunday school who is different or seems aggressive, please be nice to the mom and patient with the child. I know sometimes it is a matter of dealing with parents who don’t parent, but most of the time, it is mom who is at the end of herself. She has probably read all of Dobson’s books and knows that something is wrong with her little one. She is not just a lousy parent, but she sure feels like one. Hearing that she “just needs to be firm with the child” from the mom’s with “normal” kids breaks her heart every Sunday.
The first time I brought my son (almost 4 at the time) to a VBS I went to the teacher and just asked her to be nice to my son. If he could not behave, just call me and I will come get him, but please be nice to him.
That same mom told us about how her daughter seemed to have the same autism-like syptoms as my son. She gave us some information that changed our lives forever. Just knowing we are not alone makes a huge difference. There is hope for our children in Him.
Maryellen
Bless this precious mother and all that she has been through! I teach first grade to some fabulous children with great parents, but I would love to have her as a parent in my room anyday! I have been privileged to teach several little boys with autism, and it is a blessing beyond measure, but something that you just can’t describe while you are working with them. I know the Lord will bless this sweet family!
Beth
I am also a single monther of a 15 year old son with autism and I have such a Praise Report for what God has done in his life!
Jon was diagnosed at age 3. For most of his school life, he rarely spoke in class. He was able to make a connection with one of the Special Ed teachers and did speak with her. She and my son continue their relationship to this day, 10 years later with ice cream outings and bowling trips with her family. She is a special part of our life and I praise God that he sent her to us.
We were told by the elementary school to enroll our precious child in “life skills” classes because he would never really do much and would need constant supervision for the rest of his life. That hit this mother hard, but I knew that God is a God that restores and works wonders.
We prayed daily for him. For BIG things and for little ones. Every accomplishment he made was an answer to prayer. Being able to tie his shoelaces at the age of 13 was a big accomplishment and was reason for big celebration.
We transferred my son to a special school for children with autism at the age of 10. They were the instruments that God used to work miracles!
My son is 15 now, and just transferred back to “regular” High School three weeks ago. This child that did not speak in school and was told would never amount to much academically, now is on Honor Roll and is involved with friends and events at school. He typically outscores his class on tests and has a heart for other kids who are struggling.
God is amazing.
The road was long, and it was scary at times, and sometimes even disparing. But we firmly believed that sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes he lets the storm rage, and calms the child.
Either way, we were in His care.
To all those mothers of children with Autism, there is Hope in Him. He sees all the struggles that you go through. He knows your heart and will always offer comfort, even when the world tells you the outlook is grim.
Beth, you often talked about Pits, and we definately were thrown into one. But we decided that as the world tossed dirt on us while we were in that pit, we were going to shrug that dirt off, and use it as a mound to climb out.
Each defeat we had, gave us reason to press on. Each accomplishment gave us courage that we were on the right direction. We made corrections along the way, but we ended up on the right path.
Keep strong in your faith and find comfort in His promises for your child. They were written to you, for you.
I also have a child with autism. He is 14 years old now. He has made such incredible progress and I know that PRAYER has had much to do with it. God is truly a miracle-worker. I could write my own blog about it, but I’ll spare you!
Father God, I pray that each and every child, and each family member who it affected by autism, will REST in You. “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the DISPLAY OF HIS SPLENDOR”.
love to all ~
Linda
Heavenly Father, in awe and praise I life this dear womean, her family and most importantly her son, the blessed of the blessed. I pray your continued guidence, healing,opening of hearts and fulfillment of your plans. As each day closes, may this family see with a clear view, the many changes, things thought impossible made possible and the hopes answered in the unique. Father, may your will always be done in, through and for those who are willing to give control of their lives to you, our rock, our refuge, our Abba Father.
Blessings to each of you,
CT
I know I already posted, but I have never forgotten what happened almost 30 years ago. I was a single woman assisting in a Sunday School class of very young children, probably 3-5 year olds. One little boy was autistic and he wore glasses that he would take off and put them on, take them off and put them on, continuously for the enitre class time. I had been in the class for probably 6 months and noticed that the little boy was not removing his glasses quite so often. On this day when his mom came to pick him up, I told her I had noticed this improvement. She started to cry and thanked me for telling her that I had seen improvement, because most days were like every other…so difficult to see hope.
It’s so important for us to encourage and love one another. You never know how much someone is needing that encouragement.
Father, I am so thankful for mothers of autistic children! You have given them so much love and strength to “do for their child”. I have a friend with an autistic son and I pray that You bring her peace and comfort, Lord, because she raised her son to be a wonderful young man! He is a concert pianist and she gave him her “all”. Thank you, Lord, for blessing this family into my life. I lift my friend and her son up to you Lord, Amen.
I am a collaborative special education teacher of many different “labeled” students. My “label” for them is that God loves them and they are a “special gift” entrusted to me for a time and to whom I owe the best with which God has blessed me. I love “my kids” and I try my best to teach them with a little Jesus every day. I thank God for this privilege, I truthfully do!
My daughter teaches special needs children in high school. She loves them and they love her. She will begin a Masters program in this very area in the Fall. I tell her that she is doing God’s work.
“Heavenly Father, please be with these special children, their families and their teachers. Guide them and watch over them. Help them feel your presence and your love in all circumstances. In Christ name, Amen.”
Oh my! This one struck me so hard! I am the mother of a precious 5-year old boy, Jackson, with autism. When he was first diagnosed, I cannot tell you the despair I was in. I’m in the Esther study right now and in the homework it asks if you have ever heard anyone wailing. I wailed until there was nothing left in me. Despair doesn’t even begin to touch it. I thought I’d never be happy again, and I feared so very much for my precious boy (diagnosed at 2 yrs. 4 mo.)
But God was so close to me during that time. Of all studies, I was taking Believing God when he was diagnosed. I am sobbing right now as I recall its impact on my heartbroken, grieving life. Something amazing about it is that just two nights ago, I was going through some old things in a box because we moved not long ago, and there was my little book of all the verses that Beth had us write during that study, plus several more that impacted me directly during that time…
Forgive me for going on and on, but I have to tell! During part of the study, I was reading the story in the Bible of the mother whose son had died. I feel like Jesus was speaking directly to me as I read the words…speaking of the mother, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.'”… “The dead man sat up and BEGAN TO TALK and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” Luke 7:13, 15. I’d read this 1000 times before, and Jesus’ compassion when he saw the mother was always comforting and overwhelming, but I’d always skimmed over that he BEGAN TO TALK. Why did God have to add that in? To speak to a desperate mother whose son wasn’t yet talking and who needed so much to hear that God saw her pain.
It’s been such a tough road, but I am blessed beyond measure by being able to be mommy to Jackson! Life has been put into proper perspective and I am a more compassionate, empathetic, loving person that I could have ever been without autism hitting our family. Of course, I long for the day that Jackson is completely healed and he can tell me all about what he was thinking and his journey with Christ while he was here on earth, and I have not given up on a miracle of healing for him while he is here. But I am not living in grief, but with hope.
Jackson’s verse, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jer. 29:11
Even without a physical miracle, God is working one in our family in another way.
Jer. 32:17, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. NOTHING is to hard for you.”
Bless you all and thanks for reading my book! 🙂 And thanks for your continued prayers…
Love you all in Christ,
Jen
I am reading this 4.2 post on 4.6 with tears streaming down my face. I am very grateful for the prayers offered & also for the support of each one of you.
I am 59 yrs old still parenting my 38 yr old son. Many years ago the word autism was not used & it was not until last May of 2008 that it was applied to my son. After years of being very independant within his special needs he was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from being bullied by a supervisor for 4 years. These past few years have been extremely difficult & very disheartening to see how badly my son has been affected. All I can say is "thank you" to all of you who care.
Marilyn, Kearney NE
Thank you for your beautiful story, I also have an autistic child, he is 16 now. Through all the struggles, like you, I thank God for him. One of the most precious gifts is watching him break through those barriers, as heartbreaking as the disabilities can be, watching him overcome is amazing. The tears may last for a night but joy comes in the morning!!
Dear Lord, Please be with the parents of special needs children. Encourage them, strengthen them, comfort them, bless them. May they know how much you love them and may they realize your hand on their lives. Help them feel joy today, true joy in their families. Quench their questions of why somehow. Be with us all Lord!!
All I can say is thank you. As a mom with a darling five year old boy with autism, your prayers have touched my heart. Eli has done infinately more than expected, and is now in a mainstream kindergarten class full of tiny blessings–the children who love him. Bless you all!
I was only able to get into the blog & try to catch up today, since I had checked in for my Bible Verse on the 1st, & there are more emotions than I can begin to descibe in finding this posting here.
Autism lives here.
so here is my prayer….
Thank YOU LORD JESUS for the Grace you bestow – not just for the day, but moment by moment.
Thank YOU LORD JESUS that YOU are not only there for every meltdown, but YOU hold us up with YOUR righteous right arm.
Thank YOU LORD JESUS for the promise that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, & that all that rise up against us shall fall – I claim that for my son! Autism SHALL NOT prosper!
Thank YOU LORD JESUS that Daniel is YOURS, & that his little heart is after YOU! May every moment of this life – his, mine & his Daddy's be for YOUR Glory! That YOU will be proclaimed mightily!
& LORD, may every family touched by this stand with us – not unscathed – but suited up with the Armour we have in YOU… having done all to stand, still STANDING!
All for YOUR Glory.
Amen.
Mistie
Abilene Texas
Thank you so much for… well, everything! So glad to be a Siesta! but more importantly a Sister.
Father, I lift up this sweet precious loving mother to You and all the others out there like her. That You handpicked them to have the privilage to raise this child. God I ask you give them strength, energy, encouragement and the support they need.
For these wonderful children Father I ask you continue to bless them, continue to bring the right doctors and teachers into their lives. Keep Your hand of protection over them. Open the windows of communication and understanding for them. As their Mother, Father, family, drs and teachers touch their hands may they feel the warm touch of You.
Oh Father, I sit here with eyes full of tears…because Father You have blessed my life with such Kiddos…that you have called me to work side by side with these children and their parents. God, please continue to educate us as teachers. Keep growing this love and passion to help them. Open the eyes of our educational systems to seek training for these kids. Give us a bold voice to stand in the gap for these kids.
Thank you for each of these beautiful little faces…
Lord. Thank you for bringing me to you through autism. It’s a word that has such sad meanings for some but for me it’s the word that has drawn me close to you. Please give others the blessings you have given my family and continue to bless us. You are awesome and I praise you.
This story made me cry. We have five children, one of whom has Down syndrome. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband, and we each have supportive families. But, I know there are so many families out there who do not have that kind of support. Thank you for praying! I am praying for the day when my son with Ds (as well as my other children) will ask Jesus into his heart. I do not know how it will all play out. If it makes sense, I think he already has a unique relationship with God that is different from the rest of us. I just pray that God will tug at Jonathan’s heart, as well as my other children, and that he/they will follow!
Dear Sweet Sisters,
As I have shared in your prayers, I feel compelled to tell you that there is Hope in God!
My precious baby boy was born with a cleft palate and some additional physical and communication challenges.
God showed us a wonderful language development pre-school which took a sliding scale payment. When he graduated from kindergarten, his teacher told me that John would benefit from a small school where he would be accepted, encouraged and enjoyed for himself.
I followed that advice through all of his years of school, private and public. It was such good advice John used it for college. Further, it was such good advice he is using it now for Seminary.
And while my beloved “Gift from God” (John) is attending a small Seminary, he is also pastoring a small, aging congregation where together they serve the God who does not despise small beginings…or endings.
Kate.
[email protected]
I’m sorry that I am 25 days late finding this post. I am a special ed. teacher. This post touched my heart so much. It is such an imspiring testimony! Thank you for sharing!
My son is on the autism spectrum,has no friends, is 22 and tried to kill himself 10 days ago. He’s angry at God for his troubles. It is tearing our family apart and now my husband is talking about leaving because he can’t take it anymore, after 28 years of marriage. I know God can turn this around. Please pray for us!
He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
Prov.14:26 NIV
Tammi G
Florence, SC