Teenagers Can Be Terrific Teachers

Teenagers are a unique group of people. They can text 4,000 words a second but can’t speak in complete sentences. They remember 8,000 e-mail addresses but claim memory loss on trash day. They sustain electric energy during all-night social events but become comatose at two-hour family functions.

I have four teenagers. Four teenagers whose hormones regularly enable each to give birth to another person—their evil twin—who shows up when asked to do something . . . such as making eye contact. Sometimes I refer to each of my teenagers as “Thing One” and “Thing Two,” in reference to Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat. If we count the “evil twins,” our home includes a total of eight teenagers. And my son Jon, according to his neurologist, counts as eight teenagers all on his own. So, by my calculations, we have the equivalent of 18 people, two big dogs, and a bird fluttering at any given moment through our home.

All kidding aside, my teenagers are incredibly resilient, courageous, and accepting of life on life’s terms. They live with pain, persevere through grief, treasure their disabled sibling Jon, and share their souls with me. My teenagers teach me a lot through their example, actually. They help me see how I relate to God sometimes. And God’s example stirs gratefulness in me and teaches me how I should respond to my teenagers.

God accepts me when I am acting like “Thing One” and “Thing Two.” He doesn’t seem bothered when I forget His faithful mercy. He is ever-alert and ever-present when I fall asleep in our shared time. He hears all my pleas and petitions, worries, whispers, and woes, despite my deafness to His command that I surrender to His will. And finally, He has pardoned my sins and forgiven my debts. When this life is over, He will completely take away the diseases in my soul and will welcome me into His eternal kingdom.

I am so thankful for all that He teaches me, especially for what He teaches me through my teenagers.

Comments

[Cristy Van Artsdalen]

Your posts have encouraged me during a season of regression. My son with autism has taught a lot about love, and what it really means to love someone who cannot love you back.

[Colleen Swindoll]

Cristy, Sounds like there is much heartache behind your words. I understand the regression sorrows...without understanding or control, it's like sand slipping through our fingers...the clear yet painful truth found in James..."You who boast for today or tomorrow, you do not know what a day may bring forth". It is taking one step at a time, one moment at a time, trusting the Lord to hold us as we move throughout the days. May you be richly, abundantly loved by others and cherished by our Lord God. Also, my prayer is that you will continually be refreshed by what is offered here.
All my support and care,
Colleen

[paul carr]

awesome article.... im a pastor of a special needs child and would like to share recent blog post of a treasured moment with my son.. btw, any help/resources for pastors with special needs children?

http://www.paulcarrblog.com

[Colleen Swindoll]

Why thank you Paul. I suspect you have your hands; the care you give in and out of your home must be abundant! I loved your word "treasured"...such are the moments that fill our parents with profound delight. Extensive resources are available via Joni and Friends. Web site is www.joniandfriends.org. (specifically directed for support for the disabled worldwide. Also, if you are interested in more resources or have questions, please connect with me on this blog or by phone at 972-473-5000 (IFL's office). Hope this helps and thanks a bunch for sharing your treasured moment with all of us.! Colleen