Got heart? Autism Awareness Month-Day 8

A question occurs to me when reading today's verses: Who are the brokenhearted in our scenario? The parents, the siblings, or those with autism themselves? Could it be that all of us to some extent are brokenhearted? It may be a universal human condition that runs along a continuum...which would mean Christ really did come for all of us.

I am enjoying getting to know Heather T. Forbes from afar (ie. stalking her on Twitter). An adoptive mom, therapist and parenting specialist, whose Beyond Consequences materials support families through shock and surprise type behaviors in the attachment model. Her frequent reminders keep the love that never fails on my lips and fear at bay as I parent. Today's was:

Children need an outlet to express themselves emotionally. When they reach their window of tolerance of emotional stress, they act out in an effort to communicate their discomfort and release this build-up of negative energy. Their internal state literally becomes unbearable to them and they seek regulation through the outburst of behavior. Opening up the environment in order for them to share with a parent creates a larger window of tolerance and a feeling of being supported. As Daniel Siegel has said, 'If it is shareable, then it is bearable.'

True, true. I am convinced that is the appeal of blogging to so many of us. This virtual black hole is a place to share, almost anonymously, what would otherwise cause me to explode. We all seek to release negative energy, prefer freedom from oppression, light to dark, and joy to heartbreak. How do your kids express themselves?

Pray that we post late enough at night to have given our kids time and space to explore their feelings from the day. (Allie and I just finished a midnight snack.) Sleep tight.

April 8
Healing for Broken Hearts

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1, NIV)

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
(Psalm 34:18, NIV)

Pray that those suffering from autism would experience God’s tangible healing of their broken hearts.

Excerpted from Children of Destiny Turning the Tide! Prayer Thrust calendar here.