Hi,
A long sharing session how our Abba is a God of Hope for all situations including ASD situations.
My eldest son was diagnosed with mild to moderate autism at 3 years old and I suspect if I sent my 2nd son for diagnosis they would probably say he has a mild form of Asperger. I have two cousins looking back they probably will fall within the ASD band, one cousin who finds it difficult to hold a job and the other is a famous doctor whose only son was diagnosed with Asperger as well.
And to top it off, I recalled growing up until I was about 30 years old, I had this cloud in my mind that prevented me from sensing things such as other people body language, tones in their voices that speaks of their moods, implied meanings in the people words, linking the dots of events that involves too many agendas and I cannot foresee much into the future the consequences of my decisions (something like playing a chess game, you can only see the outcome of your immediate action only).
So in my case, autism was strongly linked to the genes.
The good news is with God all things are possible! I cannot say that I am fully recovered; but personally I have come along way from the days I lived in a daze to now as a business owner who still struggles with the problem. There is no magic bullet but it is a journey shaped by the following events:-
1. I sat under the preaching of Grace of God, the Love of God demonstrated at the Cross of our Lord Jesus and His Righteousness (Christ in Us) for many years. It helped me to a large extent to starting clearing the cloud in my mind to the degree that thought clarity began to emerge. The more I saw myself in Christ, the mind clarity improved over a span of about 7 years. Throughout this period, I listen to MP3 sermons almost daily.
2. After the mind clarity improved, I placed my trust in my own flesh and stagnated spiritually for 3 years (I guess). Abba was aware of this and through a series of test and tribulations over the last 4 years, he brought me to my knees and at the same time gave me a breakthrough to allow me to foresee the future based on the decisions I made (normal to most people I guess) and able to sense people moods/hidden meanings behind their words (this aspect is important if you run your own business). This breakthrough started my journey into depression (I shared aspects of this journey in the Depression section of the forum.
I would also like to encourage parents with children diagnosed with ASD. My eldest son, Joshua starting speaking (a few words a day) when he was about 6 years old .He could only look me in the eyes (with much effort on his part) when he was 8 years old. The journey has been filled with tears of laughter and despair.
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[/FONT] But throughout this journey, God has been the central stage ( I will explain how this was made possible in a practical manner). He can now (10 years old) take the public transport (bus) by himself to school, buy his own food, tie his own shoe laces and button his own clothes (parents who have ASD children knows why I am emphasizing this part!), studies in a pubic school (where he earned by grace a place in the 1st class where the children have the best grades), he was awarded the best solo singer for last year school talent-time (proud parent talking).
Of course he still faces his challenges .he finds it difficult to make friends, his speech is slower than normal, afraid of butterflies (to him they are the most dangerous of God's creations), his studies especially maths is a great challenge to him and my wife who is in charge of his studies.
Regardless how you see it, he is a changed person now compared to 5 years ago. Some of the highlights of what we (my wife and myself did):-
For a few months now my son has included in his prayers for wisdom, perseverance etc. He prays for himself now.
As Joshua grew up, God increased his level of awareness and maturity. He can sense people moods now (and I could only do this only recently!).
To sum a long winded story, we did not compare Joshua to others or with his brother. We encouraged him but we did not shield him from the harsh world. We made it clear to him, that he had challenges and he has to try harder than most people and God is with him.
You would have noticed, the journey we took measures in years .the results are NOT overnight. The less time we spend lamenting over the past, or despairing over the present, the easier Abba can work his plans and purposes in our life. PERSEVERE! If god is for us who can be against us .the Who that includes OURSELVES!
Lawrence
A long sharing session how our Abba is a God of Hope for all situations including ASD situations.
My eldest son was diagnosed with mild to moderate autism at 3 years old and I suspect if I sent my 2nd son for diagnosis they would probably say he has a mild form of Asperger. I have two cousins looking back they probably will fall within the ASD band, one cousin who finds it difficult to hold a job and the other is a famous doctor whose only son was diagnosed with Asperger as well.
And to top it off, I recalled growing up until I was about 30 years old, I had this cloud in my mind that prevented me from sensing things such as other people body language, tones in their voices that speaks of their moods, implied meanings in the people words, linking the dots of events that involves too many agendas and I cannot foresee much into the future the consequences of my decisions (something like playing a chess game, you can only see the outcome of your immediate action only).
So in my case, autism was strongly linked to the genes.
The good news is with God all things are possible! I cannot say that I am fully recovered; but personally I have come along way from the days I lived in a daze to now as a business owner who still struggles with the problem. There is no magic bullet but it is a journey shaped by the following events:-
1. I sat under the preaching of Grace of God, the Love of God demonstrated at the Cross of our Lord Jesus and His Righteousness (Christ in Us) for many years. It helped me to a large extent to starting clearing the cloud in my mind to the degree that thought clarity began to emerge. The more I saw myself in Christ, the mind clarity improved over a span of about 7 years. Throughout this period, I listen to MP3 sermons almost daily.
2. After the mind clarity improved, I placed my trust in my own flesh and stagnated spiritually for 3 years (I guess). Abba was aware of this and through a series of test and tribulations over the last 4 years, he brought me to my knees and at the same time gave me a breakthrough to allow me to foresee the future based on the decisions I made (normal to most people I guess) and able to sense people moods/hidden meanings behind their words (this aspect is important if you run your own business). This breakthrough started my journey into depression (I shared aspects of this journey in the Depression section of the forum.
I would also like to encourage parents with children diagnosed with ASD. My eldest son, Joshua starting speaking (a few words a day) when he was about 6 years old .He could only look me in the eyes (with much effort on his part) when he was 8 years old. The journey has been filled with tears of laughter and despair.
[FONT="]
[/FONT] But throughout this journey, God has been the central stage ( I will explain how this was made possible in a practical manner). He can now (10 years old) take the public transport (bus) by himself to school, buy his own food, tie his own shoe laces and button his own clothes (parents who have ASD children knows why I am emphasizing this part!), studies in a pubic school (where he earned by grace a place in the 1st class where the children have the best grades), he was awarded the best solo singer for last year school talent-time (proud parent talking).
Of course he still faces his challenges .he finds it difficult to make friends, his speech is slower than normal, afraid of butterflies (to him they are the most dangerous of God's creations), his studies especially maths is a great challenge to him and my wife who is in charge of his studies.
Regardless how you see it, he is a changed person now compared to 5 years ago. Some of the highlights of what we (my wife and myself did):-
- I give credit to a praying wife, who speaks to God and to my son, what she wants as though they have taken place. She never gave up hope on God or on my son. PESERVERE! Every parent should have an unfailing hope on their children (a quote from Naruto a popular Japanese anime!) and that what our Abba love of us is, unfailing love/hope. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us the ungodly. My wife views Joshua in Christ a whole person, whom Abba has a given a purpose to fulfill in His Kingdom.
- She confessed and she forced my son to confess that (they are still doing this every night before bed time, an affair that has been taking place for 6 years now):-
- God has given him a new brain!
- God has not given us a sprit of fear but of power, love and sound mind.
For a few months now my son has included in his prayers for wisdom, perseverance etc. He prays for himself now.
- We keep reminding him that Abba loves him, always takes care of him and us as parents. We show him that even as parents we need God love, wisdom to as our foundation in life. We always tell him that no love is greater than the love of Abba as shown by Jesus dieing on the cross for him.
As Joshua grew up, God increased his level of awareness and maturity. He can sense people moods now (and I could only do this only recently!).
To sum a long winded story, we did not compare Joshua to others or with his brother. We encouraged him but we did not shield him from the harsh world. We made it clear to him, that he had challenges and he has to try harder than most people and God is with him.
You would have noticed, the journey we took measures in years .the results are NOT overnight. The less time we spend lamenting over the past, or despairing over the present, the easier Abba can work his plans and purposes in our life. PERSEVERE! If god is for us who can be against us .the Who that includes OURSELVES!
Lawrence
