Allowing Him to Walk - His Way

We sit in church and he sings - not like everyone around him - he sings his way - with his whole body taking in the music. It looks different - people notice and I want to make him stop - to be like all those around him. But he is not like everyone around him - he looks different then them, he talks different then them and he processes different then them. I wonder if people think it wrong to let him sing - his way.

He says "hi" to absolutely everyone he meets. It wearies me at times. Then I look, they are smiling. He notices those who are unnoticed. He talks to them. He asks them questions - he is interested. He loves - it's his way.





So many times I want to make him like everyone else. Yet, to put him into a mold that God has not designed for him - is that not wrong on my part? God has a purpose for him - I remind myself of that on the bad days. There is a reason for his life. I must allow him to walk the path God has for him.



It is not a path of self indulgent behaviour or self focus - for that is never the path God desires for us - whether we are challenged or "normal". It is a path however, that allows him to touch a world that he does not understand; and in turn, to allow that world to be touched by him. The two often meet - the two need to meet.




It becomes my responsibility to prepare him for his path. To teach him to love, to care, to think of others; so, when the paths intersects - he will engage. I must address his unique behaviour - pull him outside of himself and cause him to see others; all the while embracing and accepting him - unconditionally. A concept we humans as a whole need to embrace more.

So I teach, I train - I do my best to prepare him for his purpose. I pray for wisdom - so much I do not understand. Then, I watch as he interacts with a world he so vaguely understands. It is never 'normal' - but it is always engaging.

Are there those who do not understand? often.

Are there those who judge? - yes.

But I choose to focus on the face of a person with whom he comes in contact. I focus on the smile on their lips. I choose to focus on the fact that he loves Pastors and Missionaries and talks about them in his sleep. They are his heroes.

He probably will never stand behind a pulpit and preach a three point outline; but he has a message. As I journey with him I realize how much about life I am learning through him. He lives each day to it's fullest. He loves to the deepest. Often, I am left to wonder - which of the two of us has a firmer grasp on reality. So I am off today to help him learn to walk in his path - and in the process - I am learning more about the important things of life.