In Marvel in Your Autistic Eyes author Mary D. Wasson encourages parents to find the many blessings in autism. Isaiah 53:3 says, "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem." Does that describe Jesus or a child with autism? Mary D. Wasson believes it describes both, showing that children with autism are made in the image of Christ.
In this journey alongside her son, who has autism, Christ opens Mary's eyes to the beautiful character qualities that children with autism display and live every day. It may take years to uncover these beautiful character qualities, but she wants to encourage other families to marvel at the beauty and uniqueness of every child with autism. In time, tears of sorrow will turn into tears of joy. May you celebrate in hearing your child say, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well" (Psalm 139:14) and "Before I formed you, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" (Jeremiah 1:5).
