Beauty Among Ashes

When Ashley was diagnosed with autism, it was the single most devastating experience of my life. I cannot even begin to express the pain and grief we felt as a family. And although that diagnosis has continued to bring us a lot of pain and stress over the last nine years, it has also brought us a lot of blessings and gifts. We have grown as a family in many positive ways through this experience. Our eyes have been open to a world we didn’t even know existed, and that certainly is a wonderful thing. We have been blessed to meet wonderful teachers, therapists, and doctors who have worked with us tirelessly to improve Ashley’s life. We have formed close friendships with people we otherwise may never have known. We have received so many blessings from our church family, friends, the community, and even complete strangers. It is a wonderful thing to see compassion and love at work around you. Although the disability itself is painful, I can’t imagine my life without it and the many blessings it has brought to our family. It just goes to show you in every circumstance there is always a silver lining and something in which to be thankful.
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Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me,
for the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the LORD’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the LORD has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:1-3
Originally posted April 2011