I wonder why it is that so many things that irritate me happen at the grocery store.
I was going to my car after a quick trip to the grocery store for bread to make garlic bread for my lasagna that my mom and I made that evening (from scratch...it was good, and fun since I had never made it before and we were not really going by a recipe, just trying to make it with the stuff that we happened to have in the house). I was stopped by a lady that goes to our church. She proceeded to make some remarks about my son in church, and I just stood there. She eventually came to the point where she told me that I should be keeping him at home.
First let me point out that this is not the opinion of most of the people at my church. There are very few people who have made negative comments about my son, and those people tend to be pretty reasonable still when I explain the situation and tell them more about autism. I have had these conversations, my pastor has had these conversations with people on my behalf, and the results are that for the most part, Micah is accepted and supported at church.
Second, Micah has really made a lot of progress at church, and really doesn't disturb anyone as much at he used to.
Third, I was so tired at that moment because I was up all night at the youth lock-in, and I really hadn't slept well enough yet, so I was really not prepared to be nice to this attack.
Ok, so what was my response to this lady? I told her that I would be happy to have this conversation with her another time, but at this moment, I really needed to get this bread home to my kids. Of course, I couldn't help adding that I would see her at church on Sunday, though.
I have to say, this incident was irritating, but this person is not really someone who would have any influence on me. She has been spoken to about the situation by other people, and basically I just figure that her ignorance at this point is by choice. Nothing I would have said to her would have changed her mind anyway. Sometimes people will never get it. I understand and acknowledge that. She has attempted to spread things about my son in the past only to be told that what she was saying was wrong. I get so many positive comments about Micah and how well he is doing that for one person to still be negative about him is not really a big deal, it was just irritating at the grocery store. I don't even think that she will approach me at church because of all the others who will defend us there. If she does, however, I will be quite prepared to give a response as to why my son still goes to church. Do I want her to not be at my church anymore? No, just because she is a little slower than others, doesn't mean that she shouldn't be at church. I will love and accept her no matter what. Everyone needs love. Everyone needs God. God is Love. Amazing how that works.
"People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:13-16
2 comments:
Wow. That would have sent me over. I'm sorry. That is just not cool. It's one thing if she doesn't know what's going on and has no idea how autism affects children...But she knows?! And she is still telling you that you shouldn't bring your son to church to worship with everyone else....This person sounds like one of the most selfish people I have ever heard of.
You are definitely a bigger person than I am. I can turn the other cheek when people are rude to me but if it involves my kids....oh goodnes no.
You are a rock.
It totally isn't me. Come on, you know I yell at people for things like bad service and things that make no difference really in the long run but are just irritating. I totally believe that it was God holding my tongue at that moment. Maybe something was going on in her life that she just needed someone to release on at that moment. I know she didn't approach me at church this morning. Micah was there. I don't know if she will talk to me again, and I might have to bring it up to her, but I get the feeling that it just isn't going to do any good and I'll be wasting my time. Still, there will always be those people who believe that Micah's problems will go away if I just spank him more, no matter what you tell them.
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