The Rollercoaster Ride

 The Rollercoaster Ride 


With the month of April being Autism Acceptance month, it has been a month of reflection for me. It has been a year and a half since we got an official diagnosis for Titus. 





Often we are asked the question, “How are you guys doing?” “How is Titus doing?” “How are you holding up?” 


The best way Nathan and I can describe it would be, “It is a Rollercoaster Ride.” 



I remember when I first got on a Rollercoaster for the first time in junior high. 


You are nervous because you’ve never done it. You are excited because you know something new is about to happen and it will be a fun adventure. 


But you also are terrified of the unpredictable. 


So you decide to get on the Rollercoaster and once you are buckled there is no going back, you have to face your fears. 


The ride starts and you are nervous but excited. The amazing part? You aren’t alone. You have all your friends and family on that Rollercoaster with you. 


You head off and there is your first dip before the climb. Just enough to give you nerves and maybe a little heartache. That’s what it felt like on diagnosis day. 


You start climbing the first hill and you see growth and encouragement. You get appointments set up, you start therapy. 


You get to the top and feel a small victory! Yes! I am facing my fears. Autism isn’t that hard right? 


Then you drop. You hit a low. It’s terrifying at moments and you have no idea what’s next. Your world and plans are turned upside down. You realize you don’t have control. There are sadness and tears, there are meltdowns, there are realizations of “the rest of your life.” 


But you remember, there is a controller. An engineer. God has the controls. God built that Rollercoaster. You have a firm foundation. God is with you. 


So you climb the next hill, you see progress. You see VICTORIES and have CELEBRATIONS. And the next time you fall, you embrace it, you have laughter and screams and fun. We laugh with Titus, we scream with Titus, we have fun! We embrace the unknown and find joy in the hard moments. 





For our family, our Rollercoaster doesn’t come to an end. It will be a ride of a lifetime. There will be highs and lows, mountaintops and valleys. But our faith in Christ Jesus and his death and resurrection will keep us grounded. With God’s power we will move mountains. 


“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17:20‬ ‭''


We embrace Autism and know it’s God’s beautiful and extraordinary plan for Titus and our family. 





We thank God for our Extraordinary Life. For we know God used our weaknesses and struggles to help us grow closer to Him. 


His strength is made perfect in our weakness. 


“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest upon me.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭



Whatever Rollercoaster you are on, whether it will end or it will be a lifelong ride, know God can control your Rollercoaster too. He can be your engineer. Your firm foundation. 



“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭




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