Tommy's purpose!

I may never know why God gave us this special young man we call our son. But I do believe that he has a very specific purpose in our life, possibly in your life too. Listening to our pastor this morning, God gave me some thoughts, maybe the ways that people look at Autism.

Those that don’t have a lot of knowledge on special needs may look at Autism specifically as a “condition”. It could also be a sickness in the eyes of others. To be honest, I had never been around anyone with Autism until Tommy developed these symptoms in his early stages of life. I was one of those people, just because of what I did not know, understand or did not educate myself on.

It is easy to sit back and give something a label when it does not involve you. If we illustrate this with football analogy, those reading this may hold different positions in this game…

You could be the spectator, watching from the sidelines. You could be the cheerleader, trying to get the crowd involved by giving support and encouragement to the players. You could be the linebackers, the family members uniquely involved in the life of the family struggling and looking for direction. Lastly, you could be the ball. You could be the parent or the actual one with a special need.

All of these positions are a part of the game, but they don’t define you. I am more than just a mother of a child with autism. My child is more than someone you see with autism. His condition does not define him. God has a plan for him just the way he is. Yes it would be wonderful for him to be healed, but if that is not God’s plan then I have to make sure that I am in the will of God so that I can direct Tommy’s life. I could let “autism” consume me. Looking back, I did at times. But it helped nothing, especially not Tommy.

I pray that you see the heart or everyone you meet. Not their symptoms, their sickness, their condition as you would label it. Only the heart shows you the person and at that point it may give you some wisdom. Find some way to “cheer them on”, or some way to extend love to them. They; or in my case I, don’t want anything specifically from you as the spectator. But I do appreciate a kind look, a smile even a nod of encouragement. Let those who from the outside you see only a condition know that they are accepted! Allow them the ability to go outside their homes and experience life as you do!

Open your hearts and your minds! God Bless -