I’ve been thinking a lot of about gratefulness lately. I’ve been watching a particular channel on YouTube and it has really given me a lot of insight.

One of the things that stood out to me was as we go through our day, doing what may seem like mundane activities are we truly grateful?

When we look at the car that just got into that accident, and we mumble to ourselves that we are glad that it wasn’t us because we just don’t have any time for that today. When we are waiting in line at the grocery store and we perhaps get in the wrong line that isn’t moving. Are we grateful that we have the ability to go shopping?

When we complain about dinner that night, are we grateful that we have food to eat?

There are truly so many things to be grateful in the course of a day. When I pray in the morning, I thank God not only for the sleep of the night but that I have another day where I woke up and that makes me truly grateful.

I think about our life with autism and I am truly grateful for some of the things that my kids don’t do, rather than what they haven’t learned how to do yet. We used to spend a good chunk of time dealing with behaviours, meltdowns, tantrums – things like that. When I look back today, I realize how grateful I am that these things no longer consume our days and nights . Yes, I may want to see faster progress in some areas with my kids, but I am so grateful for what they have learned to do and what they have stopped doing that was not constructive. I smile sometimes just to myself when I think about this and it makes me really happy!

I know that without God I would not have had the strength to get through some of the difficult moments in our life. Our life was so consumed with negativity at one point in time, it physically and emotionally drained us.

God wants us to seek Him for help in times of trouble. He also wants us to thank Him for protecting us and watching over us and giving us strength to get through each day.

I am truly grateful to God for giving me comfort, for giving me strength and for giving me a purpose in this life.

I want to tell you that if you are dealing with children with special needs, I know how challenging this can be. Whatever your situation is we would love to pray for you so please feel free to reach out for our support. We are a community and we are here to help each other along.

God promises that He will never leave us. In Deuteronomy 31:6 it states “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

You are blessed.

Shelly Wedge
Exceptional Families Coordinator
Amberlea Church

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash