Autism-May God Lead Us to the Pathway No One knew Was There

The other day I heard someone say, “I hate autism.”

We (I am speaking of parents of children with Autism) get so sad when we can’t understand our sons. Isaac has an iPad. He uses Pictures to communicate (PECS), he also knows some sign language signs, but sometimes we become overwhelmed with grief, sadness and hopelessness that he can’t talk like a typical child and express himself. Thank Jesus, these emotional "hopeless" moments are few and far between. For we know God understands all children whether they grunt, point, babble or speak, God hears them and He understands them perfectly.

I have been thinking a lot about the way God is using Isaac for His glory. I have had so many opportunities to share about breakthroughs, answers to prayers, and victories God has done through Isaac with others. It is truly a journey like no other.

I have taped on Isaac’s wall, Isaiah 55:8-9

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts."

I need to remind myself that God’s ways are NOT our ways. This verse encourages me sooo very much.

Today I was blown away reading Psalms 77, “Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters---a pathway no one knew was there! You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds." (Psalm 77:19-20 New Living Translation)

“A Pathway No One Knew Was There” I pondered…A pathway no one knew was there. A pathway no one knew was there.

The Israelites were pushed to the end of the line (literally). They were pushed and found themselves where the Red Sea and land met. There was nowhere to go. They could not walk on water. They could not walk over steep mountains. They were trapped. What would they do? They HAD NO IDEA God would create “a pathway no one knew was there.” Where was the pathway? The pathway was His way. The pathway no one knew was there was to part the Red Sea. The pathway was TOTAL DEPENDENCE ON GOD.

I am approached by people often with these questions, “Do they know what causes Autism? Why is it so common these days? Why do children appear to be developing Autism more now than ever? Why is Autism more prevalent in boys?"

My answer to all these questions is the same as the medical and psychological communities- WE DON’T KNOW. Just like the Israelites did not know how God would help them. We as parents of special needs children often do not know how to help our kids or why they are considered part of the Autistic Spectrum.

Parents often cry out, "Am I doing all I can? Is there anything more I can do? I just don’t know…sometimes how to understand my child…"

However, God knows. He is El Roi, the God who sees. He is the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God of all the universe. Perhaps God is using my son Isaac down a road towards “a pathway no one knew was there” to teach me, my family and countless others what TOTAL DEPENDENCE ON GOD truly is. Just think about it…

This is very encouraging to me. I pray it encourages you too!!