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.
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