While the overwhelming response we received in explaining autism to family and friends has been compassion and support, we’ve already had a couple people share their opinions on autism, despite their limited knowledge of it. I figured that would come, so I’d just like to set one record straight right now:
“Autism” is not a dirty word. And it’s not who my son is. It’s one of many characteristics. Seth is bright, funny, musical, smart, cuddly, and so much more. He’s also autistic. That is absolutely okay, because God made him to be who he is.
Autism does present challenges, but I’m so thankful God gave me this gift of mothering my little boy. My goal in learning how to parent him is not to change him, but to equip him to reach his full potential. The hard days keep us coming back to God for strength, but close to Him is where we’re supposed to be.
Psalm 139 says:
“13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”
The Bible teaches the sovereignty of God, which makes clear that whatever means He used to write this into our story, Seth has autism because this is part of God’s good plan for Seth’s life.
I’d like to conclude with a little story. When I wasn’t sure if we’d ever have kids, I wrote a song. I sang it to my babies who were in my womb as a way of communicating how much I loved them, even though I never got to really know them. When Seth was born, I finished the chorus and have been singing this his entire life.
As his mom, there are two things I never want him to doubt – that the Bible is the Word of God, and that his momma loves him with her whole heart. Nothing will ever change that.
So, Seth, our song rings as true today as it did before we knew you’d have autism.
I loved you,
before I ever knew you.
Before I ever held you,
you were mine.
And I will love you,
Every day, forever,
Not for what you can do or who you will be,
But because God has given you to me.
Whatever it takes to help you grow and reach your full potential, I’m willing and God will help us do it.
Whatever you end up doing with your life, I’ll be happy to be by your side cheering you on.
Whatever dreams we had that have to change a little, Christ will be enough to satisfy our longings.
We can rest in the hands of our good loving, Father.
Mommy loves you to the moon and back.
❤️
© Grace Baeten 2023
The Misplaced Mom 
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