For Just a Moment

Autism stays at the back of my mind pretty much constantly.  Every time I work with Joseph to teach him a new task, every time I try to have a conversation with him, every time he doesn't respond--it's always there, this strange thing that causes him to do what he does, to communicate how he does, to speak how he does.  Now that he's almost 24 years old, I think about autism a lot.

Sometimes, though, there's a small slice of time when it disappears.  A stranger looking on would never guess that autism affected Joseph's life in any way.

My dear friend Tressey and her husband hosted a birthday party for their son a few weeks ago.  This was no ordinary party with games, cake, ice cream, and gifts.  They paid for an afternoon of rock wall climbing.  Thomas (16) was totally up for it, and Danny (19) was as well, if his college studies would allow him some time off.  I didn't bother asking Joseph--he would come along with us, with some reading material or something else to keep him occupied while the rest of the group climbed.

While I was washing dishes, and Joseph was helpfully drying, I was describing how the kids would climb up the walls.  Joseph made some comment about climbing, so I sought to clarify.

"Are you thinking about climbing with the other kids?"

Joseph answered, "I think I should."

Well, okay.  Not sure what that meant, and pretty sure he'd sit on the sidelines.  It was what it was.

The four of us made it just in time to watch and listen to the orientation, and I watched as Thomas and Danny got their harnesses on.  I watched as they helped Joseph get a harness on.  Well, now.

That was a step, at least.  They watched Isaiah demonstrate how to climb up the wall.

Danny (left) and Thomas (right) prepare to climb.

Thomas climbed right on up the wall, easy-peasy.  :)

As Danny hooked himself up, Joseph looked up.  I wonder what he was thinking as he stared way up there to the top, a seemingly insurmountable climb.

Danny did his best to hold on while he encouraged Joseph to follow.  Which he did.

Danny went on ahead, since Joseph was climbing slowly.

As Joseph looked for a foothold--and a handhold--I caught a great shot of his face.  He was concentrating, but there was no fear.  There seemed to be only a look of calm interest on his face.

To give you perspective of (almost) how high Joseph climbed, here's a shot taken with my smart phone.  (I have no wide-angle lens for my camera, so this was the best I could do!)

For a few moments on the side of a rock wall, there was no autism.  There was just Joseph, and a handhold, and a foothold.  And his courage.  And my joy.


Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- Surely I Will

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!
Click on Ruth's button above to participate with me.

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

I'm having...Irish breakfast tea in my Polish pottery mug, as I do every morning.

I'm feeling...fine, healthy, no cold, no sickness, for which I'm thankful.  :)

On my mind...is my sweet Joseph, who is 23 years old today.  Despite the challenge of autism and the struggles and roadblocks he faces every day, he is a sweet, thoughtful young man who is happy to be sheltered in love at his dad's and mom's house.  I can't believe I have a 23-year-old!  Many twisty-turny roads lie ahead for Joseph as he (and we) contemplate his future, but for right now I'm resting firmly in the Lord's hand for the future of the amazing gift He gave us so many years ago.  Joseph has made our lives rich beyond comprehension.

I leave you with...two passages of Scripture.  This first one is a claim as a promise for our son.

 Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 NASB

This second one is a reminder to those of us without disabilities.

Now we who are strong ought to bear

the weaknesses of those without strength

and not just please ourselves.

Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good,

to his edification.

Romans 15:1-2 NASB

Joseph and a sunrise in Florida (May 2011)

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

Proverbs 4:18 NASB

Back to life,
Christine

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Counting My Blessings -- February 15

Join us in counting our blessings by clicking above to visit Tamara's blog.

Oh, how I praise the name of my heavenly Father, who adds to His Kingdom those He has chosen.

Our sweet Joseph

Joseph has struggled with faith and doubt these past three or four years.  He has asked the tough questions:  Why did God make me like this?  Why did He give me autism?  What is the purpose?  How come He hasn't healed me?  He has had agonizing conversations with his dad, struggling to put his thoughts and emotions into words.  And his dad has been so patient with him, giving words for those thoughts, the things locked up in Joseph's head.

On Sunday, February 13, Joseph, with the help of his dad, surrendered his life to Christ once and for all.  Doubts about the future may linger, struggles on the path are certain, but Joseph belongs to Him now.  And there is no doubt about that.

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered!

Psalm 32:1 nasb

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,

but you are fellow citizens with the saints,

and are of God's household.

Ephesians 2:19 nasb

Back to life,
Christine

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Month of Thanksgiving -- Blessing 15

This post is part of a giveaway at Tamara's blog.

Please click on her tag below to find out more!

Today I thank the Lord for Joseph.  Just his very presence in my arms as a newborn was a testimony that God loved me.  According to the Word, Joseph was a reward!  God was good!

As he grew, we began to walk the confusing, blessed road of autism.  But Joseph was still a reward.  And God was still good.

God has kept our sweet, no-nonsense son to even today.  And Joseph is still a reward.  And God is still good.

Give me your heart, my son,

And let your eyes delight in my ways.

Proverbs 23:26 nasb

Thank You, Lord, for Joseph.

Please visit Tamara's blog to find out more about Month of Thanksgiving,

to be encouraged by others' blessings,

and to participate!

Back to life,
Christine

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captured by Christine Anne