It's not a chore

Yesterday was Autism Awareness Day. In my town there were two main events. One was a flag raising at city hall, and the other a march at the Legislature.

Speeches were given. At one event they talked about the possibility within autistic kids and how much they're capable of; at the other they seemed to focus on how difficult it is to parent a child with autism, how lonely, how isolating.

I guess both are true. Kids of all sorts have amazing potential and that's exciting. However, parenting kids of all sorts is often stressful. It can be difficult. That comes with the job. 

As a dad of autistic kids I try not to complain about the problems I have. All parents have problems. What I try to tell people about are all the cool things my kids do that will encorage people to see my kids as similar to theirs.

My daughter loves chapter books and is currently trying to read the entire Bible. (Okay, that may not be so typical, but I like to brag about my kids.) My son, given half a chance, will climb the furniture up to the ceiling. He's energetic and a little reckless but that's pretty typical for most boys.

Most of all, I know my kids love me though others may not always see the signs. That takes those difficult moments and carries me through them. Parenting my kids is not a chore or a burden, it's a blessing.

We can't focus on the difficulties we face but on the blessings God gives us iin the kids we have. When we do that, somehow God gets us through it all.