Moving Mountains

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Mattew 17:14-21

Very soon after Jacob’s diagnosis I viewed a television sermon speaking of God’s power, more specifically of His ability to move the mountains standing in our path. I had felt that this message was meant just for me to see. I knew it was when the next three sermons were the exact same message. At that moment I asked God to move my mountain. Some people might think that God’s miracles have to happen instantaneously, but our children are proof that God is at work.

I am often envious of families with neurotypical children. If I allow my mind to wonder I get overwhelmed by thinking of all of the things that my children (and I) will likely miss out on as a result of their disabilities. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of raising children on the spectrum is at times unbearable, and I could not imagine how any family would be able to endure it all without relying on their relationship with God.

But through all of the hardships, and I can see God ever so certainly moving our mountain. He is giving me so many things to be thankful for. Despite their developmental delays, I am thankful to have two relatively healthy children who are happy and extremely affectionate. I am thankful for the therapy that Jacob and Maggie receive, and our ability to send them. During a time in which many are without jobs, I am grateful to work somewhere that I truly enjoy. I could not ask for a more supportive or positive group of people to work with everyday. In so many ways, we are very fortunate, and it is all due to God’s hand at work.

Earlier this week during an observation/training session, I was reminded of just how crippling this disorder can be. Jacob’s newest goal is hair washing per our request. Trying to wash his hair is a battle that up until now he has always won. This will in no doubt be a difficult goal for Jacob to accomplish, but I am confident that he ultimately will.

Monday, Maggie will be having tubes placed in her ears that will hopefully make her feel better. On the 18th she will begin at the center. I am anxious and nervous for both, but I know that God is at work moving mountains.

Today I am thankful for dry shampoo and ENTs.