This blog is an old one I wrote about two years ago. The boys started back to school this week, as many of your children did, so I found it only fitting for me to post it today. Pray it blesses you my friends.
For the past several weeks, I have been constantly worrying
about what our boys go through when they are at school. Jake is
reserved, a people-pleaser, quiet, and a very sweet boy that listens
most of the time. Wesley is very loud, giving, always on the go, sweet,
constantly into something, and playful. As a society, we tend to have a
hard time with loud and playful, so this makes me worry more about
Wesley. I have been convincing myself lately that no one can handle him,
no one wants to handle him, and I am the only person who loves him
enough to be patient with him as he works through his struggles. I know
this isn’t true, but the devil sure has me believing it quite often.
However, I have found that when I start believing this, God sends me a
blessing in the strangest of situations…
This wonderful
Saturday Ben and I got to spend several hours shopping for our boys’
Christmas presents. Before we could really get
started, our van began to make an awful shaking sound. Ben decided to
take the van to a local lube shop, and they thought it best to drain or
change the transmission oil pan (if this doesn’t make sense to you, I’m
sorry because I don’t know any other way to explain it). As we waited
for the man to fix our van, we sat in the little sitting area within the
shop. About ten minutes into our wait, an older gentleman walked
through the doors. None of us said much at first, but soon began random
conversation. Little did I know, this conversation would bless my heart…
The man
started the conversation by joking about the way the lube place would
try to convince you to buy parts you really didn’t need. He then told
the story of a time they tried to make him by windshield wiper blades
when his were like new. We laughed because moments before, the guy was
already trying to make us spend more money. That story soon branched
off into a story of a local auto parts store owner in the town where he
lives. He told us of what a wonderful man the store owner was, and went
on to tell of a contest the owner’s daughter won for a story she wrote
about her father. The father ended up winning tickets to an Illinois
college basketball game and presented him with an award at the halftime
show. This story led to us finding out that our new friend was a former
teacher.
As the man talked about his teaching years, he
talked about how he was in the top of his class in high school, but
didn’t want to go to college right off. He ended up beginning college at
the age of 31. He retired from the construction business as he finished
his schooling, and then began his teaching career. After teaching for
ten years he retired, but never lost his love for children. He told us
that he currently serves as a substitute teacher for his home district.
As he talked about the students, a smile came over his face. He then
said that most people disagree with him, but he loves working with
special needs children….especially those who have been diagnosed with
Autism. At that moment I could see the truth in his eyes. I could see
his heart. Chills ran up and down my spine as I was suddenly reminded
that there are still good people in this world. Within that ten minute
conversation I had thoughts of him helping children like Jake and
Wesley, overlooking all the fits, the tears, the frustration, the
anger…simply wanting to make life a little easier for each child, if
only for a short while. He just wanted to help those children.
Although
Ben and I never looked at each other, I could feel our eyes burning
into each other. We had both been blessed by this man. Normally, as most
of you know, I would have jumped right into the conversation and told
details of the boys’ diagnostic visits, therapy sessions, and friends
we’ve made along the way…but I didn’t. Something told me not to. God was
telling me to just receive this blessing, and listen to this man’s
heart. He was showing me that there is no need to be afraid for our
boys…because God is in control…and He has people like this man out there
to take care of them…
The mechanic came into the waiting
area, we said our goodbyes, and Ben went to the counter to pay. I
started to follow him but the older man initiated conversation with me
one more time as he asked if I had gotten out of school multiple days
for Thanksgiving break. I explained to him I had, we finished our
conversation, and Ben and I headed to the van. Something inside me kept
saying “tell him, tell him”. As Ben held the door for me, I quickly
turned back and faced the older man. “I just wanted to tell you” I
began, “both of our boys have Autism, so I want to thank you for having a
heart to help them.” It was as if it were all a scene in a movie…he
frowned for a moment, and then came a look of understanding, then a
small smile. “Thank you” he said. Within moments I smiled and nodded my
head, turned around, and we drove out of the shop.
We may
never see that man again, although we hope we do! But it is forever
burned in my heart the promise that God takes care of His people. He
takes care of His children. So if you ever doubt Him…if you ever doubt
the goodness of His people…I pray that this story will remind you of
God’s faithfulness. Thank you Mr. Tom Walker.
May God bless you and your family today, and may He use you to bless others.
