July 26
The Light of Autism
I’ve often said that Thomas is a light for the love of Jesus.
But that light, the light of Jesus that shines thru the lamp of autism has revealed things in my heart. Things that were hidden in secret corners. Honestly, things that may have stayed hidden without that bright, focused, disinfecting light that autism brought into my life.
Things that led to a disconnect between what I SAID I believed about GOD and what my behavior DISPLAYED I believed about GOD.
Seeds of hypocrisy that grew in that disconnect.
( Not an original thought! I heard it on Lisa Harper’s podcast “Back Porch Theology” May 2nd or 9th)
I said I believed we were are made in the image of God and all equally loved by him.
But
I was insatiably judgmental.
I still struggle with it.
I could rage if people wouldn’t accept Thomas for who he was, put unattainable standards on him or deny the grace and time for him to find a way to participate.
But I would do the same thing to others.
Autism has revealed some nasty behaviors in my heart. Judgmental attitude is only one.
So although I wouldn’t wish autism on anyone, I’m at a point where I can finally say YES and AMEN to Romans 5:1-5
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Hope does not put us to shame.
Let the light of Jesus reveal things to you and in you.
#autismawareness #autismmom #weallhavespecialneeds #romans5 #fearfullyandwonderfullymade #lovegodloveothers