Last Updated on March 19, 2018
While attending a continuing education session for my speech-language pathology license, I was struck by how intimately the divine hand of God works in all things, especially Rachel’s life.
Almost 20 years ago, I fell onto my face in a little Bible study group and busted out the ugly cry, telling them, “I don’t know what I am supposed to do with my life!”
Little did I know how completely God would answer the prayer which followed. In my career and schooling as a speech-language pathologist, God led me to people who would teach me what I needed and to children who needed what I had learned.
Then God gave me Rachel, an adorable little package, which included autism and apraxia.
Throughout her life, I have felt inadequate. (Honestly, I’ve felt inadequate about motherhood since my first bout with morning sickness…)
But with Rachel … I KNOW this stuff. I should be able to help her. I’ve helped others like her. I should be able to do more. God, help me!
And that was exactly where God wanted me and always wants me to stay. Once I ask God for wisdom and understanding, He answers. Do I always like what happens? No. Do I always follow? Nope, to my own detriment. Sometimes, I cannot see the answer until looking back later.
For years I’ve hurt because I have a house full of therapy materials, but can’t seem to use them with Rachel. Yet, God has led us to therapists who helped Rachel in other areas. Always, I cried out for wisdom, wondering why I lacked so much, not seeing that God was answering that prayer through OTHERS who were giving Rachel exactly what she needed.
So at the conference, I asked Dr. Strand at the Mayo Clinic how to work with Rachel. Tears dripping down my face, I said, “I have an attic full of therapy materials, but I can’t seem to make them work.”
She shook her head. “That’s because you don’t need them.” She went on to say that I needed to be face-to-face with no distractions. Just Rachel, me and the words. She also reaffirmed how difficult it is for moms to do double duty as therapist.
There you have it. All these years of angst … Perhaps I wouldn’t appreciate the freedom I felt in that moment had I not spent so many years imagining how I failed Rachel as both a therapist and a mother.
My point? Trust God. Pray for wisdom and understanding. Ask God to lead you deeper into His heart. And focus on one thing at a time. God often gives us just enough light for the next step, so don’t get ahead of yourself or Him.
Hugs, sisters!
Jennifer Dyer has an M.S. in Communications Disorders, which served her well in her professional career as a speech-language pathologist. Never did she imagine that her education and career were God’s way of preparing her to be a mom to her own daughter with autism. Today, she enjoys reaching out to other families who face similar diagnoses. As a cancer survivor, carpet-cleaning veteran, and originator of the “Messy House Ministry,” Jennifer feels blessed to share joy, peace, and humor with others facing life’s challenges. She is mom to two beautiful daughters and is thankful to be raising them, serving other families with unique needs, and using her gift of writing and speaking to minister to others. Jennifer is also the author of a youth fiction book series and is trusting God with His timing on publication. Jennifer has been a mom for 11 years. She and Brandon have been married for 13 years.
There is an old saying that a Dr. should not try to heal himself. You are not objective enough to actually do therapy with Rachel. She has your number and knows what buttons to push. A therapist is someone who comes into the field of battle and helps guide you and Rachel.
I was amazed at Rachel’s ability to play the fishing game yesterday, then match the pictures for the Princess Match Game. I see so much progress in her since you have been here, which built on what she learned in Arkansas. You are doing a good job with both your daughters.
Jenn, so well said, and after reading i thought, God just wants you to be Rachel’s mom. no one else can do that but you. so love her and enjoy her and treasure her. she is yours. always admiring you from afar. Barbara
Thanks for your words of grace, Nell and Barbara. I needed them today!
I can’t begin to tell you how this spoke to me. I am an Occupational therapy assistant and have worked in pediatrics. My oldest son has SPD which is my specialty. For seven years I told his doctoe something was off. But I couldn’t treat him. I could only be Mom. thank you for posting this!
I’m glad you were willing to say this too. It’s a tough place to be, isn’t it? You have encouraged me today, Erin. Thanks!
Thanks so much Jen. You’re so right. Sometimes what they really need is a mom. A good reminder for me as well, since I tend to forget all of those special things I do and am that makes me the boy’s mother and think that what they really need is a housekeeper with the ability to move at the speed of light and vaporize dropped cereal pieces. Was watching “Smallville” with my hubby and thinking: “Lex Luther needs his mom.” You see a lot in film about the father wound, but we moms, vitally important. They even created a super villan around the lack of a mother. Hopefully I can at least accomplish that much, keep my boys from growing up to become the nemesis of a cartoon character!
Lol, Kristen! I love it. You are so right! I was thinking about the evil queen on Once Upon a Time. Now there is someone with mother issues! Moms are vitally important. I hope we don’t lose sight of that. Thanks for sharing that with us!