Looking Forward

Leafy Sea Dragon at the Steinhart Aquarium...the coolest thing I saw there. I am enchanted by these creatures.

This is a very fresh thought, and I must be brief, so this may not be the most refined post. Somehow it does help to write these things down, I think, so bear with me.

Today should have been a pretty fun day for our kids. We have guests visiting from out of town. We had decided to visit the Steinhart Aquarium, but our family had to leave a little earlier than our friends because our oldest daughter is participating in a social skills "Summer Camp", there are no excused absences, and it isn't cheap (though I think it has been worth the money). After that we shared a BBQ dinner and a late swim with our friends before returning home. It was a long day, not very routine, but still, fun! Right?

Well, even though I explained the days events to the child, and the aquarium was truly among the most amazing places we've been to as a family, she did not enjoy much about the aquarium. This bothered me, and I couldn't figure out why she was so eager to leave. At every turn, "Let's go back to the elevator." Was her way of saying: I'm done with this place, I want to move on.

Yet - she didn't want to move on to her class, even though it's been a good experience for her so far. She really wanted to go home, and tried several lines of reason (all rather humorous) for why we should go home. In the end when we arrived at her class she didn't really resist it, she behaved well throughout the class. There were many reasons she could have lost it, but she didn't. My weary Mommy brain kept trying to puzzle out why she wanted to go home. After class it was kind of the same deal. "Why are we eating here? Where are our friends eating? Are they going home before we do?"

We ate, we swam, I had set up some cookies and decorating supplies to occupy the kids while we cleaned up our dinner, but the child declared she wanted her cookie at home. Suddenly I realized what was going on. We had to take two vehicles to the aquarium this morning, and my husband decided it would be fun to divide into boys and girls since between the two families these are evenly split. He even went so far as to move our son's car seat to the other car so he could be one of the boys. This turned out to not be a great idea, but that is a different story for a different time...In any case our daughter was disappointed that she couldn't ride in our friend's car, so we told her she could ride in their car, "ON THE WAY HOME." Hello?? All day long where did she want to go? HOME! This seems almost ludicrous in my logical adult brain...all of these fun activities that she only marginally enjoyed because she spent most of the day wondering when she was going HOME so she could ride in a new car (always exciting!) Would the whole day have been that much more fun if we had just let her ride "with the boys"? Gotta wonder.

It did make me realize that I need to be sure she has a shorter term "exciting thing" to look forward to. A promise for something happening at the end of the day is not beneficial to the early part of the day.

It also makes me wonder how many times I'm looking forward to "something" that is so far down the road that I let it make the present look bad, even though it might be really good. At least God understands better than I did today, but how much more would I enjoy life if I didn't look so far into the future?

Salute to the Salutatorian

This is old news. Almost a month old to be precise. In this day and age I suppose that is almost obsolete, except...I don't think this story will ever grow old. It is the story of triumph, determination, and encouragement for others to do the same. I didn't really connect with it until I read this Examiner blog. Then I hopped over to the written news story and watched the embedded video. By the time I reached the last step I knew I had to post it again. It's probably been making the rounds of blogs, twitter, facebook, etc. but if even just one more person sees this and gains the courage to carry on it will be worth the several who read and say, "Oh yeah, I heard about this already." Even if you did hear about it already...do try to read with fresh eyes and listen with fresh ears. It might hit you in a different way. Timeless tales have a way of doing that.

Eric Duquette lives in Rhode Island. He was non-verbal at age 5 as he entered Kindergarten, newly diagnosed with autism. The news is that he just graduated from High School as the Salutatorian of his class. His GPA ranked second among his 200 classmates. The advocacy includes:

• his parents, who worked with speech professionals and on their own to help him gain vocabulary and make progress learning emotions, etc 
• his classmates - it is obvious they are thrilled with his achievements
• his teachers - from Kindergarten through High School I'm sure they went above and beyond to bring out the potential in this young man
• and himself - the humor and even wisdom Eric expresses in his speech is heart-warming to say the least.

If you watch the video you will see that he looks mostly at the podium (except for one shimmering smile, greeted by applause and cheers!) and the prosody of his speech is stilted. However, this young man, who according to some professionals would end up in an institution, is bound for college and hopes to become a pharmacist. He encourages his classmates to, "not allow yourself or others to be defined by your limitations but rather abilities." I hope he will continue to find the support and resources he needs to live out that motto. He has a good start.

Meanwhile, I am encouraged as I consider the long road in front of our family. Our daughter will begin 1st grade this year. She has already made so much progress that I am often amazed. It has not been easy, nor do I expect it to be easy in the future, but I will hold on to the hope held out in the example of Eric. I hope others will also be encouraged to overcome their own limitations and maximize their abilities; and to advocate, support and encourage others so that they can do the same.

Never underestimate...

Book Review - Little House on the Freeway

Little House on the Freeway - Help for the Hurried Home by Dr. Tim Kimmel. I finished reading this book on Saturday night while the kids enjoyed playing in the bathtub. It's a good thing I did because Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were so busy and scheduled that I would not have had time to finish reading it before I was supposed to post this review. Did I need to read this book? Yes! Actually the copy I have is about four years old and has different cover art. I picked it up at a marriage retreat that my husband and I went to when our oldest was just over two. Pretty funny that we both felt so busy and over-scheduled then. Two kids and many new commitments later sometimes I wonder how long we're going to be able to keep this house and its occupants rolling down the freeway. I think this is a fairly common feeling for parents of special needs children. We have all the normal pressures of life: housework, child care, shopping, working, and trying to stay healthy. Add in researching/applying for/driving to therapy sessions, extra meetings at school, extra attention needed for behavioral supports, always one more technique to try, and paperwork, and that's assuming the special needs child doesn't have medical issues. For those of us who pursue a life of faith you can add personal devotions, and church commitments. No wonder I often feel like I'm running the wrong way up an endless escalator.

Interestingly Dr. Kimmel's answer isn't just: "Slow down, silly!" He breaks down inner attitudes that are needed to find true rest, things like forgiveness, a sense of eternity, service, and knowing your gifts. Dr. Kimmel also includes some practical applications for how to bring an attitude of rest to your marriage, your kids, your work, and your other relationships. At the end of the book there is a list of 101 ways to give rest to your family. Some are big (pay off your credit cards - yikes!), some are small (take a walk as a family.) Some are long term (religiously wear your seat belts) some are short term (replace the batteries in your smoke alarm). I really like all of the things that are balanced in this book. There are times when Dr. Kimmel uses a soft touch to make his point and other times where he says, "I know this isn't easy to read, but this is what you need to do..." There are some truly poignant stories used to illustrate his point and others that will make you laugh out loud. Do you like practical tips? There in there. Do you want a more philosophical approach to the idea of rest? Got it. I was particularly blessed by the chapter where Dr. Kimmel describes holding his daughter in the NICU all night as she struggled with apnea. I have a feeling he can relate to special needs parents.

End result: obviously my daily schedule hasn't slowed down a bit. (Is someone fiddling with the speed on that escalator again??) But this book, combined with a renewed commitment to address my own physical health needs, seems to have provided a new sense of focus and calm. When the to do list is too long the most important things are still getting done, and I find it easier to let the other items go.

Rest up, friends, it is a long road!

Angels Part 3 Jesus is no Angel

This is the third of eight posts based on the Bible Study Guide "Angels" by Douglas Connelly, A LifeGuide Bible Study. Today's passage is Hebrews 1, which quotes several passages from the Old Testament (Psalm 2:7, II Samuel 7:13-14, Psalm 104:4, Psalm 45:6-7, Psalm 102:25-27, and Psalm 110:1). It's interesting to me that with little salutation or introduction the writer of Hebrews jumps into a heated theological argument of the day. There were some believers at the time this letter was written who were contemplating reverting to Judaism or merging Christian beliefs with a Jewish sect. In doing so these believers would be downgrading Jesus from the long awaited Messiah to the equivalent of an angel, a rabbi, a prophet, or a priest. The author of Hebrews (whose identity is still the subject of scholarly debate) draws on Jewish scriptures, a source his audience would accept as an authority, to prove Jesus' supremacy to all of these categories. Many of the passages he quotes are foreshadowing promises made to King David, the central figure of Old Testament history, where God promises to establish David's line as King over Israel for all time. This is commonly seen as a promise that the Messiah would be of Davidic descent because in truth David's human Kingly line dwindles circa 586 B.C. Jesus fulfills this and many other prophecies as both of his human parents are descended from David (Mary from David's son Solomon, Joseph from David's son Nathan, see Matthew 1:1-16, and Luke 3:23-31ff).

It is interesting to note that similar debates, fueled in part by historical fictional novels of all things, rage on today. Just who is this Jesus, anyway? Many would like to skate by on the answer that he is a good man, a good teacher even, but good teachers do not lie about their credentials. Jesus, on several occasions recorded in the New Testament, claims to be the Son of God. On at least one occasion (Luke 4:14-30) people were so enraged by his claims that they wanted to throw him down a cliff. C.S. Lewis has a rather famous argument that one must choose whether they will call Jesus a liar, a crazy man, or the Son of God as he claimed to be.

The author of Hebrews begins by assuring us that Jesus is no angel. One particular contrast is the angel imagery of Psalm 104:4:

"He makes his angels winds,
his servants flames of fire." (NIV as quoted in Hebrews 1:7)

with the Messianic imagery of Psalm 45:6-7:

"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,
and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy." (NIV as quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9)

Angels are here depicted as powerful, but rather "temporary" messengers under God's command. Meanwhile, the Messiah (Jesus) is equivalent to God, eternal, and reigning with righteousness and joy. We must be careful to remember that as amazing and wonderful as angels are, they are not God, nor are they God's Son. Our heart's desire should be to serve and worship Him alongside His messengers of wind and fire.

God's Joy - The Fruit of the Spirit Part 2 cont

This Joy, His Joy

Grows and grows

This Joy, His Joy

Overflows

This Joy, His Joy

Sets the captives free

Thank You, Lord

For giving it to me

When I was thinking about writing this post, this simple chorus came to mind. It is one of several songs that my parents used to sing in the car when we were on long road trips, in the days before DVD players in the car. The tune is catchy - I wish I could hum a few bars for you - but most importantly the message is profound. The Joy that God will provide for us if we will simply ask is: growing and alive, abundant, and has the power to set us free.

"Hear the word of the LORD, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: 'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.' For the LORD will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD - the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 31:10-14 (NIV)

This is not a well-known passage of scripture, but it exemplifies these three characteristics of God's Joy.

• Growing and alive - God promises His bounty to His people as a source of joy. Grain, new wine, oil, livestock will liken Israel to a well-watered garden.
• Abundant - God promises that His people will be filled, they will dance, even their mourning will be turned into gladness
• Liberating - the LORD will rescue His people from circumstances beyond their control and stronger than they are

The chorus ends by thanking God for giving me this Joy. Indeed I need this joy and would be grateful to God for giving it to me, so how do I get it?

Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.

You have filled my heart with greater joy

than when their grain and new wine abound.

Psalm 4:6-7 (NIV)

When I said, "My foot is slipping,"

your love, O LORD, supported me.

When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)

These verses teach me two things about receiving Joy. First, it seems to come in the midst of trouble; when everyone around us is asking, "Where's the good" and when our feet are slipping in fear, God's Joy comes in. Second, it comes with intimate, close, consistent relationship with God. When His face shines on us, His love supports us, and He consoles us with His Joy.