The Battle is Real BUT CELEBRATE the Victories!

                                        When you go about day to day with your kids and life is crazy it is hard to notice the little things. Those "little things" are so important to acknowledge and look for on a daily basis especially for parents that have children with special needs. There is a tendency to notice what they are struggling with and not notice the things that they are excelling in. Parents are not conscious of what they are doing...it just happens. For me I am continually learning to do it. It is a daily thing. On days that are overwhelming I admit I fail big time. In times of frustration when I can’t understand what my child wants because he is unable to communicate it clearly the battle is real. When he comes home from school and I try to ask him how his day was and he just stays in his own world as if he didn't even hear me the battle is real. When he won’t try new foods the battle is real. When I see the differences that he has from other kids the battle is real. When I hear about a kid saying, "Oh, it's just David" in a tone that says he rather not play with him because he is different my heart breaks and the battle is real. The battle is real.
                                   BUT, what I do know is something that far outweighs any of the battles that I and David are experiencing. JESUS is our Victor that helps us with these daily battles. He knows all and sees all and it is through Him that we can face these battles and focus on those victories. Like, when I realized that last year he wasn't saying "Mommy" and now he won’t stop saying it I celebrated! When I heard my son say, "I love you too, Mommy" I celebrated. When my husband told me "I love you" and David without missing a beat said, "I love you too, babe" before I could answer I laughed hard and celebrated! When he started using the potty every day after daily practice I celebrated! When he went to bed with just underwear and was dry the whole night I celebrated! When he picked up my cell phone and started pretending to talk to Grandma saying, "Hi Grandma! It's David! (like "who else would it be tone  :) ) ....ok, talk to you later. Bye" I celebrated! When his teachers said he was finally using the potty at school I celebrated! When his speech therapist said he has grown leaps and bounds I celebrated! When he sings songs about Jesus and reenacts the Bible stories he watches I celebrate! When he prays on his own I celebrate! All these things may be super small to some people but to this Mama they are huge reasons to celebrate and my heart bursts with joy knowing that he brings celebration and thanksgiving to our lives every day. To sum it all up CELEBRATE the LITTLE THINGS!!!!!!!!! It changes your whole perspective when you are in the midst of the battle! Put on the armor and CELEBRATE the victories!!!