Last week, I realized that my book needed a chapter dedicated to non-verbal prayer. After I reviews some talks I’ve had with Orthodox people and families living with disabilities, it became clear to me that this is a resource that’s desperately needed. I’ve already offered a non-verbal prayer card kit on this site, which you can find HERE and a tutorial on praying with a prayer silk HERE. But those are only two of dozens of ways to pray without words. Because some of my children have spent years being non-verbal or are still emerging in their verbal abilities, and because I also prefer to pray in silence when my heart is full, I have a lot of experience with non-verbal prayer. Even so,…
writing, autism, & theology as a mother of joy
Posts tagged “Christian”
If you pick up an ancient Christian text on disability, you will probably encounter the metaphor of gold being refined. Suffering is given to refine us, the same way that fire purifies gold. That’s true. We all have to be purged of anything in us that does not tend toward the love of God and our neighbor, and that purgation can feel like fire. For someone suffering, though, there’s not much consolation in being held up as an example. There’s a phenomenon these days of sharing feel good videos of people with disabilities doing normal things in the world, with community support. The videos are paired with captions that suggest that these persons with disabilities have meaningful lives, as you can see from the…
For those of us who ask the help of saints in our daily lives, one of the first questions that comes along with an autism diagnosis/recognition is, “Who is the patron saint of autism?” As far as I know, there are no official patron saints of autism. Yet, I can attest to the help and intervention of several saints in our autistic lives. Here are some of the saints that have made themselves known to us as helpers for autistic Christians. Holy Theotokos. Sometimes it’s easy to read past important parts of scripture, like when the educated people of the time were surprised at how much Jesus knew when he had not studied in the temple or gotten the best education of his day.…
Today is Autism Awareness Day. Many people of faith are wondering how they can welcome, engage, and serve with persons with autism. Here are 7 tips, from my faithful autistic family to yours. Keep the format and ESPECIALLY the social routine for entering the learning time/space consistent and predictable. For instance, my Sunday school class always includes the children leaving their parents at the door, walking all the way across the room to the prayer area, and having the option of placing flowers or a felt candle in the prayer area. That routine eases the anxiety of children on the spectrum, because they don’t have to wonder what to do when they get to class. They have a built-in routine to participate. Another example…
For the next 40 days, I’m posting on my Facebook page a brief word of encouragement for people living with autism (in themselves or their families). Because our God is with us, concrete thinking is not a barrier to faith. Because our God is with us, we can ask God for help. But how do we teach these truths? Like all lasting things, as simply and as concretely as possible. That’s why I’m offering these free printables for you to download and use this Advent (and hereafter) to encourage prayers. Using the simplified prayer board is easy. Print out the cards. Cut them out. Use them to pray. The raised hand is “help.” The ear is “listen” or “hear.” The two hands together are…
Categories: autism, christian, concrete thinking, encouragement, faith, free giveaway, holidays, special needs child, spiritual formation, Uncategorized
Tagged: adhd, Advent, apraxia, asd, autism, Catholic, cerebral palsy, Christian, church, Down Syndrome, free printable, how to pray, Orthodox, prayer, simple, special needs
Tea & Crumples makes its debut on Monday! I’m taking deep breaths into a paper bag and spending time with friends this weekend. Birthing a book into the world brings along some of the same emotions as birthing children: punchy protectiveness, ecstatic goodwill, hollowing insecurity, and of course, joy. I’d love to see my local readers at the big launch next Saturday, November 7, at the Main Branch Durham County Library. When? At teatime, of course! 3pm.
Order Tea & Crumples today! Release date: November 2, 2015 Amazon* iBooks Barnes & Noble IndieBound Early Praise for Tea & Crumples: “A Delicious Read.” -Cathy Smallwood, Tea Master “This book is full of goodness.” -Deborah Hining, Award-Winning Author of A Sinner in Paradise “The intuition, love and prayer she put into each pot and person was amazing.” -Linda Rainey, Christian fiction reviewer “Uplifting, joyful, helpful healing.” -Robin B., Christian fiction reviewer “Not only was I immersed in the novel, I was living it.” -Marianne B., Christian fiction reviewer Praise from Summer’s Fictional Fans: “Better than Fordyce’s Sermons.” -Lady Catherine De Bourgh “This is the book I was reading when Darcy got all flirty at Netherfield. Just saying.” -Elizabeth Bennet “I’ve added it…
Categories: christian, clean reads, faith, genre fiction, gift guide, grief, memes, Tea and Crumples
