I walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) However, this face reveals a bit of God's face for me. May I introduce my son, Tim. Tim's sixteenth birthday approaches quickly (in February).
A neurologist in Dallas diagnosed Tim with Tourette Syndrome on May 1, 2009. The diagnosis came as no surprise. I suspected this for many years. What has surprised me is the severity of his case and how much Tourette Syndrome can disable someone. For more information visit http://www.tourettetexas.org/
Tourette is unique and hard to explain without making those who suffer from it sound weird. Sometimes it is weird. Its unique challenges also make it easy to exploit and mock.
With all my heart I know that God did not bring Tourette into our lives. My pastor taught from Job in the Bible a couple of years ago. You might be able to find archived copies of those sermons at the following two links.
One of the things that sticks out most from what I learned from these lessons is that God gave permission to satan to go after Job for the following reason; to prove Job's heart even in the face of all out war from hell. I don't pretend to understand the ways or reasoning of God, but I realized I am not so sure of my own heart if I had to walk through the things Job did. I am not a preacher so I have no interest in arguing or defending or proving anything to anyone else.
In the midst of one of the worst valleys I have ever had to watch someone walk through, in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death that I have watched some of my loved ones walk through....I have learned and seen and touched and tasted. My experiences solidify what I accepted by faith. What was intangible through some of these trials have become evidence and proof; proof of my own heart, proof of the Body of Christ, proof of God Himself.
Acts 20:24New King James Version (NKJV)
24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, o that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.This verse is one of those intangibles that was once truth in theory in my heart and in my life. Through Tourette the theory becomes the assurance of something hoped for and the conviction of something NOT seen, but known and experienced.
There is so much I have learned and could have only learned step by step, leg by leg of this unique journey through and with my son.
Over the next year, 2017, I have vowed to blog it regularly. I do it mostly for myself but also for those parents coming up who were just like me, blindsided by something they knew nothing about but needed hope, comfort, and refuge to cope and survive.
All in all, as much as I despise Tourette Syndrome, as much as it is an ugly name for me, I have learned there is a name that is so much greater, and I have come to KNOW this person in whom I believe, Jesus Christ. He is no longer true in theory, but He is someone I trust and love. He IS my truth and glory and proof.
From the depths of my despair arose a hope beyond compare. All glory to Christ Jesus, my Savior. I am grateful this Thanksgiving weekend.
#tourettesyndrome
#hopeinthevalley
#tableinthepresenceofenemies
