What do you think of when you hear this word? For me, first I think about actually being alive. After going through a health scare awhile ago, the word “life” for me becomes actually that – my life, being alive and being with the people that I love the most.

I also think about a newborn and when their life begins.

Another thing I think about is, “our life”. One that includes two teens with autism and all of the daily challenges that we face as well as the quirky and fun things that we experience that perhaps others don’t get to go through.

We all see the world and our “life” differently. For each of us, at different stages in our lives, I am sure this word can have many different meanings – some happy and some painful perhaps. There are many phases and facets to each person’s life.

As I am writing this blog, our family is currently experiencing a very stressful situation in our family life. Today, I feel incredibly down. I have felt like crying a lot, but I hold back the tears so that no one can see me. Life is hard today.

But one thing that I know for sure is that God is with us all of the time and He will continue to be with us no matter what the circumstance. Sometimes autism creates a lack of understanding for God in our family life, which can be difficult at times when you are trying to have a conversation with one of your children and like many teens. Sometimes they just forget about God and think that they can handle everything on their own. I think it’s hard for all of us who are parents to always find the right words to explain, especially, when you are a believer, that you’ve been down that particular road before or something similar and it does not have a happy ending.

I find with both of our children, having meaningful, godly conversations extremely difficult. As I ponder this, I often wonder if it is because of autism or is it because they are teenagers? I don’t really know the answer to this question.

But I pray for their “lives” every day. I pray that they will be able to cope and be safe in this world. I also pray for their spiritual growth and that God will bring people into their lives that will nurture this in them and bring each of them closer to Him.

I am grateful for my life and for my husband’s life, my daughter’s life and my son’s life. Each and every day I thank God for them.

I love Proverbs 27:19.

“As the water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”

As you ponder what’s going on in your life today, what thoughts come to your mind?

Shelly Wedge
Exceptional Family Ministry Coordinator
Amberlea Church