Awakening

 

As you know I am autistic.  I have good thinking ability, but oral communication is dismally a failure.  I am labelled disabled, and many think I cannot think for myself.  Some, when they get to know me, change their minds.  Others never see it.

Sunday morning a young lady shared her vision with our church.  It is to evangelize the intellectually disabled.  This has been the heart cry of my family for years.  God used me to spark their vision.  God worked differently in this young lady’s heart.  She, like my family, had to realize these dear souls are able to believe, even though they express it differently.  They need to be seen through God's eyes!  God is orchestrating an awakening in our area to reach a totally unreached segment of this society.  I cannot wait to see this awakening in this needy group of people.  Maybe in my lifetime.  For sure in God’s perfect timing! Hallelujah!

Having a Bad Day?

 

Sometimes I have a bad day.  It may start out great, but it deteriorates as the day progresses.  Often it is because I have unreasonable expectations that my family cannot meet.  Maybe I have made bad choices and sabotaged my day.  Maybe I am just being sinful and rebellious.  Whatever the cause, it happens.  As I was reading in Job today, I saw him having a whole series of bad days.  Yet he met those days with steadfast faith and blessed God. When I have bad days what do I do?  My go to response is often whining and complaining.  And I have never had it as bad as Job.  I think it is time for me to adjust my response to an attitude of praise, no matter what.  I am thinking this might not be easy and will require some hard work on my part. But I am thinking it will be worthwhile work.  So, I better get to it. 

Reflect Jesus!

 

I recently had the opportunity to participate in an interview with a college student writing a paper on education and the disabled.  It caused me to reflect on how my family handled my issues.  They surely were saddened by my situation, and often discouraged, but they never gave up.  They searched and found answers.  They signed on for an arduous life.  They threw away some personal ambitions to do what many said was impossible.  They taught me to try and keep trying.  I am realizing parents like mine are rare.  I see they are God ordained.  Sometimes I wonder how they did/do it.  Well, they would be the first to say it themselves, they could not do it. They plug into God’s strength and fly.  They are amazing parents because they serve an amazing God.  We continue to strive together to not only reach our potential as creations in God’s image, but to reflect Jesus day by day.  We live in a terribly broken world that needs to see Jesus.  Most are not coming to church or reading the Bible.  They are mired in their brokenness.  It means I must reflect Jesus all the time.  So must you.  Take a step of boldness and resolve to reflect Jesus.  Share His love, and let the broken world around you see hope found only is Jesus.  I dare you to try it!

An Offering of Praise

 

I love music.  It really encourages me.  I especially like worship music.  I cannot sing, but I can dance.  I have found that I can praise God by my body movement when the words are stuck in my brain.  A couple weeks ago I was in our Sunday morning worship service.  I had a bit of a difficult time that morning, but God helped me straighten out my situation.  I was excited about worship, and so I enthusiastically worshipped.  After the service a new, young family talked to my dad and told him how encouraged they were to watch me worship. I was surprised that my feeble attempts at worship could encourage anyone.  It reminded me to give my five loaves and two fish and let Him use it to His glory.  Lord, help me focus on You, and know You will use even me.

Back To Routine

 

The holidays are over, and regular activities are resuming.  As one who thrives on routine, in many ways this is welcome.  I like the predictable.  Knowing what to expect often brings comfort and stability.  But is life predictable?

 Absolutely not!  Each day there are unexpected things that just pop up.  They come and disrupt the clean plan I have for the day.  They interrupt my big plan and picture.  Someone calls my parents just as we are sitting down to do some activity.  I trip and fall while running.  Someone gets sick.  The grocery store does not have the brand of bananas I like.  I lose a sock.  I spill the glass of water.  The list is endless.  But what I am seeing is that My Plan is disrupted, but not God’s plan.  If I learned to really trust Him, I could be comfortable and stable no matter what.  This is a hard lesson to learn.  Not because God makes it hard.  I make it hard, because I am stubborn and want my own way.  Maybe I need to submit to God’s plan day by day.  Might be more peaceful!

Don't Say No!

 

I love to give presents.  Oh, the joy of seeing faces light up and be surprised at the treasure I have found for them!

But I also like to receive presents.  I sometimes hear my parents talking about what they will give me.  At this age I get clothes, or more utility presents, but usually one fun, surprise present.

I have never said, “No, I don’t want the gift you are giving me.”  It never even enters my mind.  Some gifts need to grow on you.  Time makes them more precious. Do you ever refuse a gift?

Well, then why do people refuse God’s gift of salvation?  Man, it cost Jesus His very life.  Yet everyday people refuse that precious gift that grows more precious every day.  If you are refusing the gift God is offering, it might be a good idea to rethink that decision.  It is really a matter of life and death!

 

Presents

 

 

Do You eagerly await Christmas?  I do, but I do not look forward to deciding what to give as presents.  That takes thought.  I love to give presents, but what to give?  I am so glad God had no problem deciding what to give me for Christmas.  He gave me Jesus!  He gave me eternal life!  The best present of all time!   Now I cannot match that, but I want to give memorable presents.  Better start praying about that!