Jennifer blogs regularly at Bringing Home the Missing Linck and is the author of a book by the same time that tells her family's adoption story. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Jennifer has been a newspaper reporter and ghost writer. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and son. In addition to her blog, you can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
Being the parent of a child with special needs is exhausting and exhilarating (all at the same time).
My son, Jackson, has Childhood Apraxia of Speech, a motor-planning speech disorder. He knows what he wants to say, but he simply can't. His brain and mouth are still learning how to work together. Jackson also has Sensory Processing Disorder. His inability to talk and excessive sensory seeking can sometimes make typical 3-year-old activities difficult.
Recently, we both left a gymnastics class in tears. I had enrolled him in hopes that gymnastics would satisfy some of his sensory seeking needs. But the class was too overwhelming. I left angry. I questioned God. Why can't things be easier for him?
I'm still learning how to go-with-the-flow, as a special needs parent. It hasn't been easy for my Type-A personality.
We left the chaos of the gym and explored our favorite university campus. We splashed in fountains. We chased squirrels. We took selfies. We remembered that even on the hard days, there's always something to be thankful for.
The other day our preacher posed a question that I want to pose to you: What if on the other side of your breaking point awaits the biggest miracle you've ever seen? {Tweet that.}
Walking out of the gym that day, I was sad and angry. I wondered if my son would ever get to do the things other kids his age do. I questioned whether I have what it takes to be his mama.
And then God reminded me that I do.
"... chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move us."
"But we're not quitters ... Oh no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way."
No matter how hard things get, we keep fighting. We keep praying. We keep believing.
And you know what happens? We witness miracles.
The same week we walked out of that gymnastics class, I watched my son ride his tricycle by himself for the first time. It's not an easy task for a child with Apraxia and we've worked on it over and over again. But that particular night, he climbed on that red bike and peddled his heart out.
I witnessed a miracle.
And at occupational therapy, where he's working on fine motor skills, I watched him pick up a pair of scissors and cut paper on the first try.
I witnessed a miracle.
That week I heard him say new words; each one a miracle all their own.
Are you at your breaking point?
Hold on! Don't let go!
"But Me, I'm not giving up! I'm sticking around to see what God will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right. I'm counting on God to listen to me."
Your miracle is coming!
Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."
