Politically Correct

Christmas is so awesome!

A time set aside to celebrate the the miraculous virgin birth of our Lord and Savior.

A time to for introspection

A time for appreciation

A time for admiration

No one else loved us the way Jesus Christ did/does

To take off His divine

And to put on humanity while still being GOD

It is a delicious mystery

One that entangles the mind

But releases it almost simultaneously

When His peace covers one's being

The Bible gives us an account of what happened

Faith believes it did

Not as an old wives tale but as truth because

He is GOD and we are not

I would rather put my faith in what GOD said He did

All in the name of Love

Than a fabled tale

Known to not be true

Flying Reindeer??? Really...

So even if you don't believe in God

Know that He is still GOD with or without you

And FYI He is God enough to handle your disbelief

With that said

If you don't want to acknowledge Christ in Christmas

That's to your discredit

But don't disrespect it

There is no Christmas without Christ

Period..

-Souljourner
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
PEACE ON EARTH
GOOD WILL TO ALL MEN

The Power of The 'Little'

Before you

I didn't know about a Tangeroo

Before you

I could have never loved a Myon

Before you

I didn't really know what strength was

Before you

I didn't know sound could hurt

Before you

I didn't know how much I missed little hugs

Or how delightful kissing little chunky feet could be

Before you

I thought I understood a great many things

Who knew airplane take-off was the best part of a trip

That calendars look better with purple circles on it

That cartoons could be so much fun

That the floor was for more than walking

It gives perspective

While letting one know where they fit in a room

Before you

I didn't know so much could be said

Without saying a thing

I admire you

I think you are the cat's meow

I love you

I am glad you are with me

Soon you will be taller than me

But I will always remember your 'little'

It's mine

My gift

-Souljourner

My Little Myles

Your eyes are so wide

Bright with joyful expectation

Your smile always shows a certain type of charm

Devilishly

delightful

The promise of manhood

Growing steadily by the day

No longer momma's little man

Pleasantly surprised I am

When your world becomes a little clearer

No longer are you my puzzle

I know you are different

And so do you

I think

Or maybe we are the different ones

I dunno

I just love your zest for life

Your earned contentment

I enjoy our conversations

Understanding is never the goal

Companionship and closeness

Is beautiful

No matter what you are or are not

You are mine

And I love you

With all that I am

-Souljourner

Sometimes

Sometimes

Because we forget

We figure the wound is healed

Sometimes

Our cellars are full of items marked "dealt with"

But really are still open

Sometimes

We get angry when we are so abruptly reminded

Of our pain

All of a sudden we are vulnerable

Open

Exposed

Sometimes

It gets harder to hide

feelings of frustration

Cracks on our shells

Strain under the weight

Sometimes

Pain is no longer a distant companion

But instead a constant friend

-Souljourner

It Just Is

So the other week starts off with its normal Monday morning fury. Nate has clinic visits downtown, Myles has to get to school and Mr. Howard off to work. I thought I was going to have a pretty quiet week and was looking forward to some serious down time.

Of course that didn't happen and in the immortal words of C.Brown "Good Grief" was about all I could muster. Let me quickly chronicle my week for you:

• Monday: Downtown Clinic visit (wellness checkup) for Nathan
• Van inadvertently gets parked thru valet service with Nathan still in the back seat
• Panic sets in 
• All ends well Praise GOD
• I need a nap (smile)
• Tuesday: Myles has a eligibility meeting of some sort
• Performance scores are reviewed
• Deficits are discussed
• Guess what he is still autistic....whoodathunkit?
• Nathan has accident at school
• I did manage to get an oil change 
• squeezed lunch in for myself around 1 or so
• Wednesday: QuickBooks Training for volunteer work 
• Totally forgot about it
• Still didn't have a nurse in place for Nate
• Ubber late because of construction
• Training was all day 
• Great coffee
• Met a new friend
• Thursday: 2nd day of training
• My sweet neighbor and I got our wires crossed so Myles was outside roaming around for 40+ minutes waiting for me to get home
• He was safe
• Felt like a really bad Mommy
• Friday: I don't remember

Ever have one of those weeks where nothing was on your calendar but all of a sudden you have no time. It just drains you...know what I mean? Anyhoot, out of all of those days I will say that Tuesday was the most challenging.  

For those of you who don't know Myles, our eldest son, is autistic. He was diagnosed around 3 years old. With that said every few years or so he must be evaluated to make sure he still meets the criteria to receive special services. The process is pretty straight forward but it isn't painless. Any parent of an exceptional ed kid knows these meetings can be open any old wounds that never really seem to close. 

Tuesday was no exception. As I sat and listened to different tests, evaluations and observations that were performed my breathing became very measured and deliberate. I was close to my breaking point; and once the overview of his performance was discussed, in detail, for every section...well let's just say I tried not to talk and needed a couple of tissues. The freshness of my emotions still amaze me and quite honestly I don't really know how to deal with it. On one hand I am confused as to why I still feel the way I do. The other..frustration because there is really no one I can be mad it. Autism is a formless entity. I can't throw anything at it..can't pray it away and can't ignore it. 

Reader,  please understand that I didn't disagree with anything that was discussed in our meeting. I am an educator and found the results to be in line with where he is developmentally. Myles is a bright boy, mild mannered and easy to get along with. He has learned what his triggers and sensitivities are and he compensates for them. He speaks when he feels its necessary and all participates with his peers. He likes being around people but has no issues with asking for quiet time. 

None of that was reflected in his diagnostic summaries. No matter how the panel tried to highlight all of Myles's strengths and progress...I couldn't help but feel some kinda way about the whole thing. Am I still angry at autism. Yes. Am I mad at the limitations this condition has placed on my son. Yes. Am I still trying to grapple with what this means for his future. Yes. Am I still trying to not hold on to my expectations? Yes. Does my heart bleed for my son...Yes.

Our world can sometimes be cruel and complexed and no matter how I see him, (and others like him), everyone will not see what I do. Some are even so low bred that they would seek to take advantage, harm or perform a disservice against him. I know I won't always be around to protect him and guide him. I know that he will always need some compassion and patience.

I want to live as long as he lives...all of them for that matter;but I force myself to repeat what GOD says about the future..that is His secret place and I am not to try and mettle with it. Nothing more nothing less.

As for my pain. It just is. He (GOD) never promised my life would be without it; however He did promise never to leave me or forsake me. And that my friend helps me to operate in it.

-Souljourner

Failsafe

As a mother my heart aches for his mom; because no matter what happened no matter the circumstances we never lose the hope of our child returning better than they were when they left.

Death quells that hope. As one who serves the Most High Jesus Christ I am saddened because one of lost sheep has been taken. There is no joy in any sinner dying without repentance. Do I know where Mr. Brown is spending his eternity? Absolutely not but I do know that God would desire that none would be lost.

I feel stripped when I look at a judicial system that can justify an excessive use of force as a means to an end.

I weep when I see the waves of fear, mistrust and panic that continues to plague the areas I call home.

I wonder is their any hope in this situation..my chest swells with doubt and defeat.

I wonder what type of life will the officer have when so many people are looking to see him destroyed? Unjustly I might add because if the Brown family is calling for peace than what right do you have to cause further disruption?

I am disappointed at the verdict but I am encouraged by another day the Good Lord has given me, you, us to repent and move forward.

Your knees are the best agents of change..for on them you submit yourself to the most Holy of all authorities. He gave you the gift of choice...

It (choice) is a powerful thing..how will you use it?

For good or For Ill?

-Souljourner

Now What?

Are you happy now?

Did you stealing that man's stuff

Or breaking into those people's business

Bring back the one you say you are avenging?

Was the wrong righted?

Was policy changed to prevent this from happening again moving forward?

Did you ask Traevon? Did you see Micheal?

Are they back?

No? Well that's too bad

But the truth is...they are not coming back, not this way again.

So what are you doing to make sure their are no more like so many

That have fallen?

What are you doing to educate, empower and inspire?

Yes, I hear you

I understand the hurt

But stealing, looting and tearing down

Do you want someone to do that to you?

No one has come in to destroy yours because you did

They are still on the rim

Waiting for your strength to run-out

They will go on with their lives

Confident in their jilted victory

Smiling at their tainted courts

Laughing at you because you don't understand their words

But again I ask you what are you going to do?

If their is nothing else left but a wretch of humanity

Then all of our work has been in vain as a community

But I am willing to bet their is more in you than what you allow to surface

Change starts with one

Be that one

-souljourner