Your Child Will Be Different

When James was 5 years old I was told that he had Tourette Syndrome. I felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. To realize that my son would not have a normal life but would suffer physically and emotionally because of this condition. Uncertain of what kind of future he would have.

As I read Luke 2 about the birth of Jesus, I couldn't help but relate to the joy that Mary and Joseph must have felt at the birth of this precious perfect baby boy. How proud they must have been to take Him to the temple and show Him to everyone.

Simeon rejoiced with Mary and Joseph and praised God for the gift. And then he told Mary was is found in Luke 2:33-35. He said, "a sword would pierce through her soul". Mary would experience great pain at knowing that her son would endure great suffering, be tortured, rejected and die on the cross.

Did Mary and Joseph feel like I did when I was told my son had Tourettes? Did they feel like all the parents of the world who have been told that their precious baby would be a special needs child? Did they feel like other parents who are told by the doctor that their child has cancer, autism, adhd or any other illness that would cause their child not to live a full complete life?

All this pales in comparison. For Mary and Joseph to realize that this precious baby would always be viewed as different, would be teased, ridiculed, tortured and then crucified on a cross.......

It was all in God's plan though-----

James still has Tourettes but has grown into a Christian husband and father sharing his faith with others. He has the gift of making people laugh.

Jesus rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God. Interceding on our behalf, filling and comforting us with His Holy Spirit. Comforting all those who have heard or will ever hear the words, "your child will be different".