Why All The Lights Are On In Our House

James has a new obsession…  It started at Christmas and has continued into the New Year…  It was probably triggered by all of the bright shining lights that he so enjoyed seeing on the Christmas tree, around the fireplace, on the outside of the house, on the large bush we have outside our front door…  … Continue reading Why All The Lights Are On In Our House

Because He’s Worth It!

Perhaps never before has humanity lived in such a self-centred, self-obsessed, self-serving, narcissistic, selfish society as we do now.  Advertising and marketing media is filled with slogans such as ‘Because you’re worth it!’, ‘It’s all about you!’, and recently that dreadful advert from TUI (formerly Thomson Holidays), where an entourage of lackeys serve the every … Continue reading Because He’s Worth It!

… And A Happy New Year?

Christmas has come and gone, with all of its celebration, joys, and maybe some trials and tribulations thrown in for good measure…  Racing up next we say goodbye to the old year and cheer in the new; but how that makes you feel might well depend on the kind of year you’ve had, and any … Continue reading … And A Happy New Year?

Treasure In The Darkness

‘Return of the Night Drives!!’ No, not a new film, but a recommencing of night time nocturnal adventures with James, the first for a few weeks!  We were out earlier this week for well over an hour, having a wonderful time exploring the local area in the dark, visiting the airport, finding other places where … Continue reading Treasure In The Darkness

Don’t Worry: God’s Peace In The Storm

There have been a few times lately when I’ve felt that God has been pulling me up by the bootstraps and telling me that he has everything under control, and that worrying about things isn’t actually a productive or helpful use of my time or energy… That hasn’t always been an easy message to receive, … Continue reading Don’t Worry: God’s Peace In The Storm

Jesus At The Pools Of Siloam, Bethesda, And Our Bath!

A couple of days ago something extraordinary happened… something totally unexpected… something that in its own way was delightful and wonderful…  James had a bath!  An hour-long soak! Now granted, expecting any 15-year-old lad to have a bath isn’t a given… but James isn’t any ordinary 15-year-old.  James is autistic, and also has learning disabilities, … Continue reading Jesus At The Pools Of Siloam, Bethesda, And Our Bath!

Dealing With The Yukky Stuff; Loving, Living And Serving Like Jesus

As I headed upstairs to get James up this morning, I heard him giggling…  Normally, this is a sound that thrills my heart, but I know James all too well and at 07:30 in the morning it is rare to get so much as a grunt out of James….  Giggling meant trouble; my heart sank… … Continue reading Dealing With The Yukky Stuff; Loving, Living And Serving Like Jesus

Fits, Fear, Faith, Friends, And Facebook

Last week James, our 15-year-old Autistic son, had a fit;  a full tonic clonic grand mal seizure, something he’s never had before.  It is right up there with the most scary, frightening things I have ever experienced in my life (James knew very little about it himself, thank God)…  Even writing about it now brings … Continue reading Fits, Fear, Faith, Friends, And Facebook

Posh Brands, Designer Labels, and Additional Needs Parenting

I was sat in church a few Sunday mornings ago, a brief oasis of calm in an otherwise hectic and unpredictable week of additional needs ministry and additional needs parenting.  The service was great, which was helpful, as I was tired and in serious danger of dropping off to sleep otherwise… there could have been … Continue reading Posh Brands, Designer Labels, and Additional Needs Parenting

Washing My Autistic Son’s Feet

James, my 15-year old autistic son, gets cold feet…  Sometimes this is because he often prefers to go barefoot, sometimes this is because his blood circulation isn’t as good as it might be, or maybe it’s a combination of the two. He likes to have his feet rubbed, to warm them up, but recently he … Continue reading Washing My Autistic Son’s Feet