Often, I am astonished at the 2000 plus Facebook friends I have. I wish I could credit this to my charming personality, but my crazy array of friends from far away as Bangladesh are all because of a 14 year old young boy and his AMAZING story.

My second son, Joshua, was diagnosed with severe autism at 2.5 years old. He is a living breathing miracle, and the sole reason I will never doubt the power of a good prayer. His diagnosis was a stinging verdict in a cold medical office as Josh rolled around silently on the floor.


Afterwards, A small piece of paper slid into my hand. On the paper was a referral to a psychiatrist for me because, supposedly, the road ahead would inevitably cause me to, “lose my mind,” the neurologist admitted in not so many words.

I left the office shell-shocked.
I knew the symphony of issues my little toddler had were serious.
I will never forget that day. I remember driving home, tears streaming down my face as I prayed.

In that moment I heard a still small voice say, “Celebrate small victories.”

Josh was a runner, a silent runner, who could not answer to his own name. I had 110dcb alarms on all my doors, and while he couldn't utter a word, he could amazingly evade every lock and alarm in the house.

Just taking a shower was an Olympic event. He also felt no pain, and therefore, had to be constantly watched.

He nearly drowned during a park outing, and once was even brought home after a ride in a police car, lost and unable to identify himself.

Eventually, in my desperation, I found a community of doctors, nutritionists and parents optimistically looking for answers. Year after year, an amazing thing happened: God began to heal my son.

It wasn't an overnight miracle, it was step upon step and victory upon victory.
So many times when I came to the end of myself, God was there.

We began to see Josh heal, each new treatment or supplement we prayed about working, never having to resort to scary drugs.

We watched as he slowly regenerated back into a happy boy. One day, I felt Josh's hand in mine, and I looked down as he said, “Hey Mom! I can talk to you now!”

But it didn't end there. One day, as his sister was being baptized he asked, “Mom what's baptism?” As I explained he then tore off his shirt and ran to the lake so that he could, too, be baptized.

Since then, Josh has found his niche… acting. Yeah, I know that's how God works, the silent kid is the one that ends up performing Shakespeare.

God, our tender Father, knows our sorrow when life doesn't exactly turn out perfect, and He is there.

He comforted me as I cried buckets of tears, as the mom of a special needs child.

Dear friend, if you are challenged with a struggling child, be encouraged today-- believe in miracles.

Sometimes when our children are saddled with a diagnosis, that peak seems too high to summit. But be assured- nothing is too big for God to tackle. The same God that poured out his love on the cross is big enough to handle your mountain.

Each one of us has a cross to bear, so pray with me today, and give that cross over to the one with experience at carrying it. His burden is light. He will see you through.

Word of the Day:
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:14

Prayer:
Father, carry me today. Sometimes my situation seems bigger than I can handle. In the darkest of nights when I wonder if I can make it through with my child, help me to remember that you love my children even more than I do. Help me to lean on and trust in you, even when I can't see the end of this thing. I know you are with me now just help me in my weakness to feel strong. Let my children see me trusting in you to guide us. Help me to believe and hope in the good that is to come.  When your hand is in things, miracles happen.


Author: Karen Beauvais

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By Karen Beauvais

Every Sunday and on holidays I pull my mother’s delicate blue China out of my cabinet. It has traveled to charity teas and even to school with my children for Valentine’s day.
I have a mission, I am using this China like my mother did as a way to say, “You are special, you are welcome, you are loved.” I feel like it’s the best way to let her legacy live on. I am not in the camp that the family China stays stowed; it should be used and well worn like the Velveteen Rabbit.

My mother’s table was host to many: dear family friends, relatives and guests sometimes from afar, like the Polish priest who spoke no English or the Chinese engineer from my father’s job or the very lively Vietnamese family I taught English as a second language.

When I was in college my friend Marco pedaled 4 hours on a bike to come visit, and while we didn’t fully know Marco or his family my mother made him a bed and put out the China.

Deep in my heart, I believe God’s table is much like my mother’s. Always ready for the diverse and different. It was welcoming and full of love. Believe it or not, this template for love and acceptance helped me bridge the gap and get to know those who were not necessarily homogeneous to with me in my adult life. Making my life a rich tapestry of people, just like my mother’s table. This is the legacy I want to pass on to my children.


On days when the neighbor’s children pound on my door bell setting off the barking dog as I rush to finish my remote work to deadline, I remember my mother’s home. Always welcoming and full of love just like the heart of God. There are days I feel challenged:

Is my house clean enough?

Do we measure up? There is a rip in the couch!

Where can I hide my mountainous laundry?

Oh gosh, did the boys remember to flush?

 

These thoughts plague me sometimes when guests come, big or small. There are days I reluctantly throw on a baseball cap and pour an extra glass of tea as I try to make my home a welcoming place.

The real question is: “Am I truly given to hospitality?”

Am I raising children to welcome the weary, bless them like the good Samaritan, bind them up and leave them better than we found them? Won’t that make the world a better place and their lives richer?

 But really... it all starts with me.

Do I have a welcoming heart?

Does my table have room for another?

Do I understand God’s plan to reconcile starts with me?

Job 31:32 says, "The alien has not lodged outside, For I have opened my doors to the traveler.”

What an amazing God we have that embraces the outsider.

There is a notion that if we reach outside our comfort zone that our ideals could become compromised. At my mother’s table, I embraced a mosaic of different types of people thanks to her welcoming spirit that helped me grow to love others.

Oh to have that same welcoming spirit like the widows in the new testament mentioned in Timothy. They were not the self conscious kind, they made their reputation by opening their hearts and homes. “Well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord's people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.” 1 Timothy 5:10 NIV

As we go about our day, let us all remember to open our doors and have a welcoming spirit to those that are in need.

Let us teach our children the importance of reaching out to others even if they look a little different. In this we become more like Christ and honor the beauty of his vast and diverse creation.

Word of the Day:
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrew 13:2 NIV

Prayer:
Father, give me a heart for those who find themselves on my doorstep. Help me to be an ambassador of your love and hope. Help me to live a life that welcomes the lost tired and weary. Let my home be a place of warmth and love that spans generations. Help me to raise my children to welcome the alien as we make room at your table.  So that in this way, the world will know your love.