God’s Gift

It’s highly unlikely that you are acquainted with someone who does not like to receive gifts (surprise or expected). Have you ever thought of someone with a life challenge like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a present? [i]

A gift often provides us with more insight into the mind of the giver in what they believe will make the receiver pleased. When it comes to parents with a child challenged with a challenged with a disability, I believe there are several gifts a loving Heavenly Father intends to impart with this unique child (to all those within their influence).

Individuals with disabilities often help those around them view their lives in new and different ways (they never thought of before) that ultimately make them more compassionate human beings (and captivating images of their Heavenly Father to a world in need of hope).

 In regards to the parents of an ASD child, I believe that the Almighty has imparted this special child to this mother and father because He has the confidence that they have what is needed inside of them (with His help) to successfully raise this individual into adulthood (whether they believe it or not).

“I am an autism parent. We have good days, bad days, and days we try to forget. I watch my child struggle on a daily basis. I watch him (or her) try to work out the world around him (or her). It hurts. I hate seeing him (or her) struggle so much. I may hurt, but I am also proud.[ii] I am proud of the fact that he (or she) never gives up. No matter how hard his (or her) struggles get he (or she) keeps on fighting. No parent could ask for more than that.”[iii]

1.  “If I could snap my fingers and be non autistic, I would not. Autism is part of what I am.” [iv]

2.   But he told me: “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me.[v]

3.  “Don’t think that there’s a different, better child ‘hiding’ behind the autism. This is your child. Love the child in front of you. Encourage his (or her) strengths, celebrate his quirks, and improve his (or her) weaknesses, the way you would with any child.”[vi]

4.   ^“We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function.  In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. 

We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith.  If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching.  

If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.”[vii]

5.  “I’ve learned that every human being, with or without disabilities, needs to strive to do their best, and by striving for happiness you will arrive at happiness.

6.   One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that He would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone; don’t prevent them from coming to Me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them He left.[viii]

7.  For us, you see, having autism is normal—so we can’t know for sure what your ‘normal’ is even like. But so long as we can learn to love ourselves, I’m not sure how much it matters whether we’re normal or autistic.” [ix]

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[i] The above blog title is a slang term that refers to something (or someone) as luck would have it being a very special blessing (or something of great worth).

[ii][ii][ii] This post is dedicated to Gracie and Austin White. (For further information on autism, see my post entitled, “Personalized.”)

[iii] Adapted from Autism Talk   

[iv] Quote by Temple Grandin

[v] 2 Corinthians 12:9, GW

[vi] Quote by Claire Scovell LaZebnik

[vii] Romans 12:4-8, CEB

[viii] Matthew 19:13-15, MSG

[ix] Quote by Naoki Higashida