As a parent of two teens on the autism spectrum, the word “community” has come up more than I can tell you in the past number of years. When the children were younger, our community existed mostly of family and a few close friends. As they grew, our community grew as well. We became part of different parts of the community as both of our children were involved in different activities.

Community wasn’t always easy for our family. We represented something “different”, something not everyone in our community understood or knew how to accept. Sometimes there would be comments, looks, whispering just to name a few as our children did not fit the “typical” standard. Many parents of children on the autism spectrum do not go out into their community for this very reason. They are afraid of how their child may act or look or what people will think about them. I have to say that this part is very hard. I remember one time sitting in the waiting room at gymnastics, watching and waiting for our son to finish his class. He was there with his therapist at the time and there was a woman who said something to another parent about him. This was incredibly hard to watch and to hear and it brought tears to my eyes.

But I did not let that stop me from going back. I was determined that our family was going to be part of the community no matter what. We just kept going back to activities, making modifications where we needed to and providing support to our children so that they could enjoy the things that were fun for them.

What do you do when you see someone with autism or perhaps someone in a wheelchair? Do you look away? Do you smile?

Community kindness and acceptance of everyone is so very important. It makes me think about our spiritual family, our church community and about God. God loves everyone. He accepts everyone just as they are because He made us in His image. Our church community has done such a wonderful job of embracing different needs and just being there for the people who are struggling and it is why I am so grateful to be part of such a loving community.

“Then Jesus spoke to his host. “Suppose you give a lunch or a dinner,” he said. “Do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, or your relatives, or your rich neighbors. If you do, they may invite you to eat with them. So you will be paid back. But when you give a banquet, invite those who are poor. Also invite those who can’t see or walk. Then you will be blessed. Your guests can’t pay you back. But you will be paid back when those who are right with God rise from the dead.” Luke 14:12-14

As we get ready for Easter, I hope we can all remember that we are part of a bigger picture, a community where God is the center and gave his only son Jesus to die for all of our sins.

It is important to remember how much God loves each and every one of us!

Shelly Wedge
Exceptional Family Ministries Coordinator
Amberlea Church

Photo by Brett Wharton on Unsplash