1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NRSVUE)
When I read this verse and started to reflect on each statement and the sequence in which they were written, I couldn’t believe how perfectly they fit with the journey Tyler and I have taken with our 4-year-old, Natalie. For those who don’t know us well, Natalie was diagnosed with Autism in October 2022. Each phrase illustrates how it helped bring us through one of our greatest parenting trials so far.
Keep alert – When Natalie was around 18 months old, I vividly remember having a meal out, just me and my mom. At this time Natalie still had no words and had been slow at hitting her major milestones. Most people we had encountered, personal and professional, said to just give her time. But I remember breaking down at that dinner table and crying that I felt something wasn’t right.
Stand firm in your faith – After convincing myself something was going on; it was time to stand firm in my faith as I forged forward for answers. We started with a referral to the ENT & Audiology clinics at Children’s. Natalie’s hearing test came back showing no movement in her ear drums—poof—an answer! A simple surgery and some speech therapy would fix her right up.
Be courageous – Around this time, Natalie hopped into a daycare center, where we noticed that she wasn’t interested in playing with her peers. It was hard to watch her on the sidelines when the others were all interacting and making friends. It was time to have courage to reach out for more help! We brought a pediatric occupational therapist on board to help Natalie develop her social, play and coping skills. While making progress, she still required so much extra attention that her caregivers felt they could no longer safely care for her there.
Be strong – Our life was turned upside-down. We needed answers, and we needed them last week. Staying strong wasn’t easy. I spent my days phoning doctors and clinics just trying to get on months-long waiting lists. Finally, in a desperate plea for help and support, I poured my heart out on Facebook. The strength that it took to express our situation ended up bringing us everything we needed. Natalie was seen by a child psychologist that same week and we were on the fast track to an Autism evaluation.
Let all that you do be done in love – With a diagnosis in hand, we let love take the driver’s seat to find the best option for Natalie to learn and grow. To make the most informed decision possible, I spent my days doing research, going on tours, and taking meetings. Natalie has now been enrolled in a full-day therapy program for a year and is doing amazing things!
Questions for Reflection:
- What journey in your life follows this pattern?
- What’s your favorite way to keep love in everything you do?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Help me to be alert in my life so that I am able to use my faith to be courageous and strong for the people that I love.
Amen
Login To Leave Comment