One Child's Conversation with God: Another Account Showing that God Reaches Our Kids Regardless of Autism
After my recent post Stolen Praises, which told about Alec's understanding of prayer to my surprise, I received quite a few special stories giving more testimony to the fact that God is not hindered by autism in any way, and that He reaches out to our kids in ways we, as parents, cannot understand.
I have a special friend, Jill, who sent the following account to me and has allowed me to share it. It's truly an extraordinary account of an extraordinary God whose love is not limited by autism.
Jill writes:
"I used to worry quite a bit about Jackson's ability to understand God's love to the point that I would cry myself to sleep at night. However, God, as He always does, showed me in such a powerful way that He was in control of this, and that, if anything, I should learn from Jackson and his ability to communicate with God in ways I couldn't even fathom.
"We, too, say prayers each night before bed. One night, about 3 years ago, when Jackson's speech was almost 100% delayed echolalia (scripted speech from cartoons), and virtually no conversational skills, we were saying prayers. Jack had learned a "rote" prayer (a simple one that we had made up).
"But, that night something was different. We had planted a garden about a week earlier, and Jackson was very interested in it. Anyway, I said my prayer that night as always. And, then I said to Jack, 'Okay, it's your turn.' He proceeded, 'Dear Jesus, (then a rather long period of silence). I asked him if he was done, but he said 'no.' Then, all of the sudden he said 'Yes.' (Then silence.) Then, 'No,' followed by silence. Then 'Oh, yes,' followed by silence, and 'green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, and cantaloupe.' (A long silence again.) With tears streaming down my face, I was realizing he was having a conversation with God!
"I asked if he was done. Again, "no (a pause) and 'yes. I love you, too. Amen.'
"Jackson may not have been able to have conversations with ME. But, more importantly, he was able to communicate the God Almighty!
"In total amazement, I asked Jackson who he was talking to. He said, very emphatically, 'God!' I asked, 'Could you hear him?' He said, 'Yes!' At that moment, I decided that if Jackson NEVER had a real conversation with ME, it was okay, because he was communicating with God on levels that most of us will never be able to attain. He could LISTEN to God - the area most people struggle with!
"As the nights passed, his prayers did seem to go back to the same little rote prayer. But, occasionally, he will say something to the effect of, 'Please God. Take this mercury out of my body!'
Jill writes, "We have so much to learn from our little autistic children. God is going to work wonders through them! Even though their communication is very limited with us, we should never underestimate how God is able to use that to really speak to their hearts."
A short time after that, Jill was able to share with Jackson about Jesus dying on the cross. He listened very intently, almost as if he knew already. He prayed thanking Jesus for what he had done for him, and asked him to live in his heart forever. Immediately after that prayer, Jackson screamed out, 'I'm FREE! WOW!!!'
Jill's skepticism still doubted that such a young child could truly understand salvation. So, she took Jackson to see their pastor. After speaking with Jackson (at the time, his conversation skills were still greatly limited), their pastor said that he realized more strongly with Jackson than with any other person he had encountered that Jackson truly had a clear understanding and an incredible relationship with God.
Jill believes that our ASD kids may not be aware of things here on earth as we are. But, God knows where to find them. She now understands that they are with God much more than we realize and on such deeper levels than we could ever imagine.
"That's where I find my comfort." says Jill. "Even when I can't reach Jackson, I know that God can. He is with Jackson always, even into the depths of autism!!!"
Thank you, Jill, for sharing this special story with me, and allowing me to share it to others. God never ceases to amaze me!
"At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children."
Matthew 11:25
posted by K. Langston @ 8:35:00 PM
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