Question Number 3...

Those of you who have been following my little "series" on random questions for Cyndie know that I am now on Question Number 3.

Question # 3 is one of those questions that just grabbed my heart the minute I read it. Truthfully, it's one of those questions that I imagine we've all asked (in some form) at one time or another.

Question 3 comes to us from CatBude who writes:

"What is God's plan or message for those of us dealing with Autism...His unique and amazing purpose that for me is my daily living and breathing question and challenge?"

Now, as a bit of background, "CatBude" is a friend of mine who has struggled over the past few years to learn how to be the best mother and advocate for her precious autistic son. Cat has learned all you can imagine learning to try to make sense of this horrible disease and to attempt to give her child the best opportunities available in today's world.

And yet, as we all know; somedays it's just hard to understand WHY God has us in this struggle.

I truthfully don't know that anyone could answer this question because I firmly belive that there are just some things that only God understands.

I think of the old illustration of the beautiful cross-stitched tapestry masterpiece that seems perfect as it hangs on a wall for all to gaze at and take in. With the glimpse of an eye, it simply takes your breath away with it's vibrant colors and intricate details.

But then you turn it over.

On the backside it is a jumbled mess of threads overlapping and colors that run together like a mud filled puddle on a rainy day. There is absolutely NOTHING pretty about the masterpiece when you look at the back.

That's like our lives with God.

Often, all we are able to see is the jumbled mess on the back of that tapestry. A lot of days it is really easy to get caught in the pain of that mess or the confusion that it brings to our lives. However, that's not the end of the story. You see, God sees the tapestry as the finished masterpiece. He looks at all of those confusing and painful stitches and He sees the big picture that He's weaving together into something beautiful.

We've all been in this place where we've questioned what God is doing in our lives.
Why is my child sick? Why did my husband lose his job? Why is my friend fighting an addiction? Why is my marriage failing? Why, Why, Why?

Sometimes, there are no answers except to know that God is in control. God sees our pain, He hears our cries and He will never leave us or forsake us. If He's placed you in this situation then He will never be far from you.

I have this quote sitting on my desk:
"The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you." Anonymous

To My sweet sister Cat and all the others out there who have ever wondered what God's big plan really is - have faith. You (and I) have been handpicked for our role in this life. It's only a temporary role and we only have the "blink of an eye" to do the best that we can do. For those of us who accept Christ, we can take heart in knowing that God is with us each and every step we take and our rewards (and hopefully a greater understanding) will be in Heaven. If we simply follow His will, we can rest assured that His grace will carry us through.

Thank you Cat for this question...we all needed it.