For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
chris ertell
I would love to hear comments from parents of adult autistic children-still-living-at-home. Our parenting style often resembles "good cop, bad cop", and this actually works in the family's favor. However, I am the bad cop, and the good cop has never had the time to either see things from the beginning nor through to their end, except in larger than normal crises. The good cop is, however, much wiser in his speech, and the autistic one is a man, so the father-son bond holds fast.
Have others experienced feeling like "I myself am the day-to-day teacher, which usually involves unwelcome lessons, each repeated hundreds or thousands of times day after day year after year, because that is the child's learning style"? I often feel critical! As many of us know, an immature/developmentally delayed offspring can drive one mad. No matter how many times I give this child to God, I feel like God lets me know one way or another that I asked for the kid (he's adopted), and it is my job to rear him as best as I can. So far as I can tell thus far in time (he's 25), rearing him does not include throwing him out on the street! Anybody else feeling this way?
James Kraft
The golden rule is such a great help when judging others. I was taught that when pointing your finger at someone else, you are pointing three back at yourself.
The truth is we don't walk in any one elses shoes, and they don't walk in ours. Jesus said we are not to strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.
We are not to become selfrighteos over things that are not clearly spelled out in scripture as though they are greater sins than what the bible says. If we do not see our own weaknesses, we hold others in contempt over little things. We should show grace and mercy like Jesus has shown to us.
Though we give our body to be burned, and have not love, we are just tinkling brass. The bible says that love is even greater than faith. Love comes through humility. Realising that we are not perfect in the flesh, we show grace and mercy to others on doubtful things. We do not judge someone for stealing a paper clip that same as stealing a car. Because we all fall short of the glory of God, we realise we are never going to be perfect in this life. When we see our own shortcomings we will show grace and mercy to others.
STANLEY S. DRANE
By being careful what you say about people. The Lord can not only save your soul, but if you tell him that you have a critical spirit, he will delver you, plus, it will help you to always think what you're going to say, before you say it.