Once again I'm linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday community, writing for five minutes on a given prompt. Today's word is OVERCOME.
I have found as the mom of children with a disability that progress often happens very slowly. In some cases, it seems like it will never happen. I look at something Jonathan is having difficulty with and think, "He has been struggling with this same issue for so long now. Will he ever overcome it? Does he even want to?"
There's one particular area (which I won't specify) that he has had a lot of challenge with. Even earlier this year, at 14 years of age, he just wasn't "getting it." We would remind him and try to explain why he needed to be doing something different, but nothing really changed. It didn't seem that important to him. And it wasn't something we could force him to do, at 14 or any other age.
But this summer, almost overnight, something clicked. He figured it out. He started trying the new method and having success; and when we praised and encouraged him, his motivation increased. It's like he was standing in front of a low wall, staring at it with trepidation, moving closer and then backing away ... and then just like that, he stepped over it. There's still more to be done to be really finished with the process -- but he overcame the obstacle.
Because of this, I think I will be less likely to be discouraged when the next goal seems far-off and unachievable. It's OK, whether you have a disability or not, to move at your own pace, and overcome your obstacles when you're ready.
photo Jeannie Prinsen 2014
Moving at our own pace is a gift. Sounds like you did exactly angst you needed to do and he found a way to finally get it.
ReplyDeleteWhen he was ready, he was ready! Thanks for reading as always, Tara.
Delete"It's OK, whether you have a disability or not, to move at your own pace, and overcome your obstacles when you're ready."
ReplyDeleteThis is a reminder I need, Jeannie. I need ot know it for myself and for how I see the people around me.
Me too, Tim. I was reading something yesterday about how God never feels rushed by deadlines. I guess that's easy for him since he transcends time.
Delete:-) But it is still good to remind ourselves, as human beings, that not everything has to happen in our preferred time frame. It's ok to take the long view and not be rushed.
Jeannie, all I can say is that he's truly blessed to have you as a Mom.
ReplyDeleteWish I had had a Mom like you. I needed one.
Thank you, Andrew. I'm a very very imperfect and impatient mom but hopefully I am learning (at MY own pace I guess...).
DeleteIt's good to have you here today. Grateful you took time to read and comment. God bless.
What an encouraging post, Jeannie. Cheering for you and your son on this accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! I appreciate your coming by to read and comment today.
DeleteCheering for Jonathan and all your family from my corner of the web! I need that reminder, too, that it's okay to move at my pace. No one is the same; I don't need to judge my progress in whatever (running, writing, etc.) based on someone else's pace.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura. This is a good lesson for me as well. It's so easy to get discouraged if we look around at others and start to doubt ourselves.
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