The Touch of the Master's Hand

Many years ago I read this poem, and memorized it. I felt the words speak to my soul. The masses may judge on the outward appearance, but God sees with different eyes and hears with different ears, and HE knows the intrinsic worth and value. It's been years since I thought of this poem, and once again it has touched me, on a different level. How appropriate to relate this to our children with special needs. Many might view the child as less than desirable...but oh the amazing change that can be wrought by the Touch of the Master's Hand!

The Touch of the Master's Hand

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three",

But, No,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.
"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
All battered with bourbon and gin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Master's Hand.

by Myra Brooks Welch

So grateful for His Touch and

Donna

The Question...(every Mother who has a Child with Autism Asks)

So, as most of you know who are reading my blog (hey...does anyone really read this?) I probably don't need to state the fact that my 8 year old son has autism. But if you are new, you might not know, so now you do!

Jonathan has autism. Though most people who meet him would never suspect. He is social and likes people. Upon first encounter, you might think he was just a typical kid with ADHD tendencies.

I credit LI, EI and PI for the radical changes in my son (The Lord's Intervention, Early Intervention and Parental Intervention) It has, without a doubt, been a team of people who have made a difference in my son's life.

But there are still *things*. He gets stuck. Doesn't want to move to a different activity or topic. Or his brain is so focused on something, he will argue his point as if his life (or yours!)depended on it. Or sometimes, he presses a "mute" button in his mind, and he will not hear you, respond to you, or even acknowledge your presence.

He can appear to be "disobedient" but honestly, most of the time the non-compliance has roots in the fact he is autistic.

This is not to justify or excuse, rather to understand.

These past few weeks, in particular, have been filled with one outburst after another. I have put my parental abilities in the witness stand, with my mind becoming a very harsh judge, while my heart is feeling the scars of the overwhelmingly "guilty" verdict. Somewhere I must have done something wrong for my child to be so _______________. (Feel free to fill in the blank with any inappropriate things we deem unacceptable in childhood behavior) So part of the problem is the fact that my son appears to be so NORMAL in looks, that people forget he is autistic.

This has become a blessing and a curse. Because without a visual reminder of my son's disability, one tends to forget he has one!

In frustration I wrote this the other day. I posted it on a few message boards. I've received many comments from other parents of children with autism. They have expressed that I have put into words what they've been feeling for years. So now, I share with you:

If Jonathan were blind, would I expect him to see?
No, I'd give him alternate ways to "see" his world. Let him touch and smell. Describe it to him. Would I apologize for him? (Can you imagine..."Oh please forgive my son for his blindness"??)

If Jonathan were deaf, would I expect him to hear?
No, but I'd provide hearing aids and therapies for him to be able to function as best as he could. I would learn to be conversational in sign language so I could understand and know my son.

If Jonathan was disabled in such a way as he could not walk, would I be angry at him that he was in a wheel chair?
No. I think I would see the wheelchair as the best way for my child to enjoy life, and be able to participate.

Why then is it so hard for me to accept the behavior issues that comes with autism? Why do I expect my son to "be like the other kids" in regards to social issues? Why do I expect him to THINK and ACT like the NT Kids? Why does it embarrass and humiliate me when he doesn't?

Would teachers be saying, (if my son was blind) "Oh, gee, you're son couldn't identify his colors AGAIN today..."
Or (if my son was deaf) "No matter how many times we play the song, Jonathan refuses to participate in music. He just will not sing, not ever"
Or (if my son was in a wheel chair) "Once again your son would not walk to the cafeteria. I mean...all the other kids his age are able to walk and carry their own trays. But he just stays in his chair..."

But I am forced to hear about all the behavior issues, almost daily, and then feel like for some reason I need to do better, discipline more, talk more, find the magic wand that will "fix" him.

Why is it different for my son, than a child who is visually or hearing or
physically impaired ?

I am pondering...

Knowing God will show me the answers I remain...

Donna

Only ONE "R-Word" Allowed

I am offended.

Offended for precious lives that will be hurt by this horrible movie "Tropic Thunder" recently released.

My sincere prayer is that the movie flops, the studio looses money, and perhaps the message is heard that this kind of behavior that is not acceptable on the playground, is not acceptable on the screen either.

I have taken the music off my blog to allow you to watch the following video. Please take a moment to do so, and then post it on your blog. Let's take a stand to honor each individual, whether "typical" or differently abled! We are all God's Children.

Oh...and in case you don't have time to watch the video, or for some reason you can't...the only "R-Word" allowed is

RESPECT!


Jesus loves the little children
ALL the children of the world...


Donna