Big Thanks for Little Moments

I think one of the greatest things that I have learned as a parent of a child with autism is how to truly celebrate the moment.  So often I get caught up in trying to make sure the entire "production" runs smoothly and is enjoyed by all, whether it be worship, family vacation, birthday party, making dinner; whatever it may be that I am planning, I am just as guilty of the next guy of not enjoying the moment for fear of disrupting the wider spectrum.

But with Isaac, no matter how smooth everything is going, the slightest incident (slightest, in our eyes at least) can be absolutely catastrophic for him.  As a parent, you're torn:  part of you says it's only spilled milk, while the other side of you says that those giant teardrops are legitimate and that he is really suffering.  A "perfect" party is then spoiled by one little incident.

So as a parent, I've simply learned to enjoy the moment with him as he's enjoying it.  In fact, I've found it to be quite liberating to simply let go of the reigns and celebrate being in the moment with him.  I can't make him understand me, but I surely can go out of my way to at least try to understand him, and in doing so, experience all the joys (and there truly are many of them) of being blessed to be the parent of a child with special needs.

As we read the Philippians "Christ Hymn" text last Thursday evening in Adult Confirmation class, it dawned on me that maybe this is how God "enjoys" us as well.  We know that God emptied himself of His divine nature and came to us as one of us in Jesus Christ, and despite the fact that we couldn't understand him and despite the fact that we've turned this perfect creation into something less desirable than what it was created for, God still wants to be there in those moments with us as any loving parent would.  I have no doubt that God celebrates when we celebrate and that God reaches out to us when we're making a mountain out of a molehill.

There will be a time when Isaac and I will have a complete understanding of one another, but, for now, I'll just keep doing the best that I can.  Maybe he'll cry during the birthday party, but you know what, he really had fun on the monkey bars.  Maybe he didn't eat a very good supper, but he offered up grace and thanks for that meal beforehand.  I truly do thank God for those moments and I thank God for making me aware of them.  So, I guess my departing words are simple:  live in the moment, and know that God is living in that moment with you.

Pastor Mark