My kids’ piano teacher said to me after piano lessons one day, “I don’t know how you can stand it.” I said, “I just do it day by day.”

My son, Will, had spent a good portion of the piano lesson time interrupting the flow of conversation with his thoughts about his Mario Brothers video game. I felt free in a calm tone of voice to say, “Will, I am done hearing about video games. What do you think about this piece of music?” When others outside of the autism community would hear me say things like this, they would say, “You are so patient.”

His piano teacher, his youth group leaders, our relatives may have been feeling what I said to him, but with much more inner impatience. They were helpless against the onslaught of information about Mario Brothers. Their politeness prevented them from knowing what to do. They didn’t have the social tools or knowledge they needed. (We later began to educate them).

God comforts us, he molds us, he cares for us, has a purpose for us and for our children. He knows we are dust, that we are weak.

James said, ^{5 “}If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”(James 1:5).

The writer of Hebrews said, ^{16 “}Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

The psalmist said, ¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Jesus said, ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).

These are just a few of the great and precious promises that we have clung to in our journey of raising kids with special needs.