Hey Yal! Welcome to my corner. I hope everyone is doing well.
You all have heard me speak of our children, Tyler and Sarah. Tyler will be thirteen January 31st. It's so hard to believe! Time has more than flown by. We are planning a birthday party for him. He loves birthday cake and candles. His favorite part is the lighting of the candles and the singing. We usually do the whole process three or four times in a row. It brings him so much joy that we can't deny him. His eyes light up and he jumps up and down. We clap for him and he gets even more excited! It brings my mind back to a very different time not so long ago.
You see, from the age 2 and a half until 7 years of age there was no response to a cake, candles or decorations. There was just this little boy trapped in another world. He was so trapped that even having people over for the party would have been unbearable to him. He would have been scared of all of the commotion. We still made the attempt even if it was on a small scale. I believed he would get better. God was there the whole time encouraging me. He gave me grace. I was determined that celebrating my baby's birthday would not be stolen from him or us. Every year got better.
God brought Tyler to a place that not only could he tolerate the crowd and noise but enjoy every single minute of it. God is faithful. He was always there regardless of what my natural eyes could see. Two times this week, Tyler has brought me his pack of birthday candles!
There were some discouraging times during that four year span. Everything seemed so uncertain. It was hard to not focus on the negative at times. We were living on one income. We struggled financially. I couldn't work because Tyler's autism was severe. We had been on a waiting list for state funded services for him for three years. He got those services at seven years of age.
My sister is his worker. She works with him on becoming more independent. When Tyler was two years old his name for my sister was "Mommy Terri". They have always had a special bond. God's timing is perfect. Who could I trust more than my own sister? God always knows what he is doing.
Tyler will be a teenager tomorrow. Everyday is a blessing. Tyler's autism has brought me many things. It has given me so much more. It gave me new eyesight. The kind of eyesight that is spiritual and not physical. We all have access to a perfect and clear set of eyeglasses. We just forget where we lay them down sometimes.
Every small hurdle or attempt that Tyler makes is a confirmation of God's love and faithfulness. Tyler's progress has been slow but steady. We celebrate every one. When he brought me the candles my heart sang. In moments like that, I feel God's love cover me!
I made a personal decision after he was diagnosed that I was going to depend on what God could show me through the autism versus what the world had to say about it. No matter what has happened or will happen in 2009 there is one thing that stands strong and solid. The stock market is not affecting it. Company layoffs are not affecting it. Wars and rumors of wars are not affecting it. The bailout plan can't even touch it! GOD. He is my rock and my fortress. In whom should I fear? HE is a strong and mighty tower.
I'm here to tell you that all of us are sight impaired. Get on the eyeglasses of God. Stand on the rock and look to the Son! He will give you grace and give it to you abundantly.
Oh and by the way the only prescription for those "eyes" is just asking the great physician for them. His prices are better that Wallyworld. He won't charge you a thing and He'll even be happy bout that fact!
Well, I've got balloons, streamers, a cake and extra candles to buy for my sweet little birthday man.
I hope all you have a great week! Love to you all.
