Empower
Hello again. I pray you are well and ready to leave this short blog encouraged and empowered. As a parent of an autistic child, I have to be honest in saying that I sometimes worry about whether or not Jayson will “belong.”
This thought really came to me earlier in February when I received a picture from Jayson’s teacher. It was a picture of Jayson in his classroom alongside two of his classmates. I thought to myself immediately, oh how I wish the parents of these two children would approve for me to use their pictures to make a point.
As I pondered on this, I eventually asked the teacher to seek consent from both families and thankfully, they both approved! In the picture Jayson is standing in the middle of two of his friends and Jayson looked “normal” –he looked like he BELONGED. He looked like he was one of the boys, not the “autistic” special needs child…he just belonged.
After seeing this picture, I cried my eyes out. I became so emotional because I was reminded that despite Jayson’s difficulties, autism does not define my son. He is a child of God and he belongs in his school, at church, in the grocery store, in the movies, out in the community. He is a kind, loving, thoughtful, considerate, happy boy who wants to play and interact with his peers. As I’m writing this blog, I am becoming emotional again because I pray that we all get to that point, realizing that our kiddos do BELONG.
Of course he belongs
I remember so vividly as I text the teacher that “oh he looks like he belongs there” and the teacher’s response was “of course he belongs here”! Like where did I think he would be or where else would or should I send him. It was such a welcoming and loving hug from afar! Yes our children have special needs and I am not undermining that at all, but despite that, they belong in society and we as parents deserve to dream and aspire for the best for them as we do our other children. Romans 8:14-17 says “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
The spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” We are not only children of the Most High God, but we are adopted into the kingdom and so we are heirs to His glory. What a powerful message! I pray that this message encourages you to stand boldly with your children knowing in all your heart that they all BELONG in GOD’s creation just the way HE formed them!
Stay blessed!
Love you all,
M.J.