This is a word that means different things to different people. Every day I choose to feel happy for something. Today I was happy for a few things – the sunshine, being outside, hanging with family and just being in the simple moments. I love looking at the dandelions even though I know that I have to weed them out of my grass!

Some days are harder than others and I don’t necessarily have a “happy” feeling but if I’m honest I do try to recognize how much I have to be happy about. When I think about eating dinner, I am extremely grateful that our family has more than enough food to eat as many do not. When I think about air conditioning (yes, today is a really hot one!!!) I am glad that I am not sweating!

When I think about autism and the positives it has brought into my life, I smile. I know that God had a plan for our family and made each one of us unique individuals. On my faith journey in this area, I have come a really long way. When the kids were younger, I sometimes would cry out to God, “Why me?” But now when I look at the road we have travelled and the road still ahead of us, I am humbled and honoured to be a parent of two amazing different individual children. This was all part of God’s plan for our lives, but it took a lot of time for me to realize this.

When I look at our son and our daughter I am in awe of how much happiness I feel when I am with each of them. I can truly see their unique gifts and spending time with them makes me extremely happy. I love the different activities that I can do with each of them and I love how much I learn by doing this.

If you have a child on the spectrum, you may struggle to find happiness in the course of your day. You may see negatives and very few positives. I encourage you to flip this around. Try not to listen to what others say – whether it be teachers, friends, anyone who makes a comment about your child without really knowing them. Try to see their uniqueness and the gifts that they have to offer this world. Remember that some of these people really do NOT know your child so you should NOT pay attention to them.

Remember that God created each of us in His image and He wants us to experience the happiness with our own children, the way He experiences it when He protects and loves us.

If you spend too much time down in the dumps, now is the time to sit up, get up, shake it off and choose happiness as much as you possibly can. When you feel that you cannot do it alone, I encourage you to pray to our loving God to help you change your heart and your mindset.

I like the way that 1 John 4:11 describes it,

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

I challenge you this week to ‘up’ your happiness monitor and find ways each day to celebrate. Write them down so that you can look at them when you are having a day filled with challenges and let this be your guide to a new way forward.

Til’ next time………

Shelly Wedge

Exceptional Family Ministry Coordinator

Amberlea Church

Photo by Count Chris on Unsplash