Peace And Autism

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.”  (Isaiah 26:3)

Living with autism may often seem unpredictable, or uncertain, if you will. Many children with autism have difficulty communicating their wants and needs, much less their feelings.  Some are even non-verbal which makes communicating all the more difficult, so the parent or caregiver must watch the child’s behavior which may often seem completely erratic.  If a child, disabled or not, wants your attention, that child will find a way to communicate his needs to you.  With severe autism, the child may strike the nearest person or throw something across the room.  When he is beyond frustrated and cannot communicate something to me, my child sometimes reaches what I call “the point of no return”.  At that point, helping my child to attain peace is not what gets me through these situations, it is God’s perfect peace as promised in Isaiah.

Perfect peace and autism may seem impossible to some.  Sensory struggles alone can cause such pain and agitation for our children that peace, yet alone perfect peace, seems insurmountable.  The child’s peace in the moment is not key; however, it is the parent’s ability to have peace in the moment while handling the situation.  And, yes, the good news is that perfect peace is attainable, especially when life’s challenges seem impossible. 

When I am at my wit’s end, my house is a wreck and my son is inconsolable, is when God steps in and says: “I’ve got this”.  How, one might ask?  The equation is simple.  Perfect peace only comes through complete submission to God and trust in God’s divine purpose amidst the struggles of the here and now.  I literally ask God to keep my eyes, heart and mind completely focused on Him and Him alone.  The key is to keep one’s focus on God and not the situation.  If there is no trust in God to give peace amidst the storm, there is no peace. Believe that God is who He says He is, and take refuge in His promises.  The next time you encounter a situation that appears to be completely out of control, call on God, claim His promises and trust Him to walk you through with a perfect peace that only He can give.

Lord, when things get tough, help me to keep my eyes focused on you alone.  When I am tempted to choose despair, pull me out by the promises you make in your Holy Word.  I praise Your holy name for the knowledge that You will never leave nor forsake me.  You are my refuge, my strength and my peace.

Planning for the Future

"Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow."(James 4:13-14)

One topic that consumes many parents of children with severe disabilities is the future care for their children.  For families of children who will need life-long care, the cost of that care beyond the parents’ lifespan is well into the millions.  Needless to say, the need to save and plan for our child’s future is always a thought tucked in the back of our minds.  Though my husband and I try to plan and forge a trajectory for our family’s future, we are also acutely aware that we are not completely in control. What we do know for certain is that if it is God’s will, we will be able to make future provisions for our son. 

So, what are parents to do if we do not know what will happen tomorrow?  We pray; we seek God’s will; and, we plan accordingly.  For instance, I know that if I do not begin focusing on my career outside the home, we will never meet our financial goals for our son’s future.  The uncertainty is that when I think I should reenter corporate America is not necessarily consistent with God’s plan for my family.  The key is to stay completely focused on God in prayer and scripture and to not become discouraged.  Isaiah 40:31 states: “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength”.  I have learned to keep my focus on God and not grow weary of the search process in knowing that God does have a plan beyond what my eyes can see. 

I have an all-time favorite sermon on cassette tape (yes, I said cassette tape) titled “He’s an On Time God”.  In uncertain times when God doesn’t seem to be bringing that job or that raise or that help you think you need in that moment, remember that God is always on time.  So as you try to make a plan for your child’s future, know that God will answer your prayers according to His plan for your family.  He is never late, but He’s always right on time.  You can count on it. 

Lord, help me to keep my eyes focused on you and your solutions to what I view as immediate needs.  Renew my strength, Lord, as I wait for your perfect timing in knowing that your best is so much greater than that for which I have planned.