So as I am writing this, we have just finished our March Break. In our house, I feel that we all needed this break. It’s nice to have a break from the usual routine in our lives so that we can rest and rejuvenate our mind, body and souls.

Since we are still technically in Covid times, our goal this March Break was just to have fun and build our relationships by doing fun, no pressure activities. I am happy to say that we happily achieved this goal!

We went to the ROM, Ripley’s Aquarium, Sky Zone, went for a hike, did some therapeutic shopping, watched movies and did some Lego and crafts around the house and took a couple of naps. It was perfect! It was just what we needed. It was nice not to have pressure to be anywhere or do anything, no pressure for school drop-offs and pick-ups. There were no appointments to go to either which was so very nice. Sometimes when you are trying to plan activities for kids/teens on the spectrum it can be difficult because there are so many more things that you have to consider, like crowds, noise level, interests and time. Sometimes it can be hard for a person with autism to focus for a longer period of time.

When I look at where our son especially is on his journey now and back to when he was younger, I sometimes can’t believe how much he has matured, changed and adapted. He is doing things now that I never ever dreamed he would. But more importantly, I just love hanging out with him! I feel that it is important to enjoy your special needs child right where they are at in the moment.

Our lives always seem to have so much hustle and bustle to them. We are always coming and going and when we are home, we are thinking about the million things that we have to get done. Sometimes, I go to bed at night and I literally cannot shut off my brain. But this week was a good reminder that rest is so very important. It is also important to connect with our children. Although both of my teenagers have autism, I find ways to connect with each of them differently and I try to make these connections meaningful. They both enjoy doing different activities which is fine because I enjoy spending time with both of them. I have learned so much from each of them. During this March Break our daughter actually instructed a painting class for myself and one of my close friends and it was so relaxing and nice to see her in her element. She is so talented and smart and I learn so much from her.

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:2-3

When I think about this week, it brings me back to when God created the world and on the seventh day He rested. When I was younger, places of business were rarely open on Sundays. It was the day of rest and things were closed down. In many ways, I miss these times because I feel that it forced people to slow down. Sunday was sacred and time that you spent with God and your family.

Although, we don’t have this today, it doesn’t mean that we can’t slow down. We just have to be more purposeful about it. This has been harder to do with Covid restrictions but since these seem to be coming to an end, we certainly hope that things will get back to a new kind of normal. Taking time to focus on God and family is one of the best things that we can do.

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Trust in God, He will never let you down.

Shelly Wedge

Exceptional Families Coordinator

Amberlea Church

Photo by tristin zeman on Unsplash