The Thunder

The windows in the old Victorian house rattled and the wood floor shook beneath my feet as the oncoming train passed in the valley below my childhood home. The whistle blew long and loud to warn all, the train was coming through. I can still hear that whistle and picture in my mind the puffs of smoke as they rose to meet my eyes while I watched from my bedroom window.

It’s funny the things that come to mind sometimes from my childhood. But maybe, just maybe this is something the Lord wanted me to remember this day. I found out that my lovely little girl might have a form of Autism. There is no firm diagnosis at this time. She must go through many tests and evaluations. You see, Autism, causes a person to not be able to understand the emotions of a relationship with other people.

There are a lot of things that now seem so unimportant compared to the health and well being of my daughter. Just as I remember the thunder of the train as a child, God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways. He does great things beyond my understanding. He makes my eyes see past the given circumstance to reveal the cross before me, causing me to always have hope amidst the storm. He makes my feet rumble as they move to seek a closer walk with Him that I may gain strength in his infinite wisdom as his Holy Spirit whispers sweet comfort.

I want the sound of the oncoming train, the train of God, to always be near reminding me of his great power. I want his voice to whistle in the wind thru his Holy Spirit and gently nudge me on as a champion for Christ. But, I also want this same thing for my daughter. If her mind works in such a way that she cannot understand the emotions of a relationship, can she have a friendship with Christ as I have prayed for since the day she was born?

I know there is nothing… nothing beyond my Immanuel’s most capable hands and nothing I can not overcome through Christ who strengthens me. He will be my rock in this time of need. He will be the one I seek when I want to just cry. He will be the one to wipe the tears and put me back on my feet and say,

No, I know he never gives us more than we can handle. He chose me to be Ruthie’s Mom. He knew I would be strong enough to help her learn about Him and love Him despite the obstacles that together we might encounter. He chose Ruth to be my daughter. He gave her to me, because he knew I had what it would take to raise her to know and love the Lord!

Ruth has turned her music on to sooth her anxious mind to rest for the night. She is saying goodnight to her chocolate lab, Ben, and her cat, Klara. It is now my turn to go tell Ruth goodnight, give her a kiss, and tell her Jesus loves her.

You can find Shannon at her blogs, He Won My Heart and Thoughts and Prayers.