One of the many Autistic students I've worked with over the years inspired me to write this poem after he was interrupted with a question while saying a lunchtime prayer:
"Putting God On Hold"
They're just a bunch of young kids
Working hard to get by ---
Even though they are diff'rent,
They still struggle to try . . . .
Too often they're treated
As "lepers" or "pets",
But they're God's "Special Children" . . .
On that you can lay bets!
There's Sara and Sierra
And sweet, smilin' Tony ---
Orion and Anthony F
And Anthony G ---
There's Victoria and Marc
And loud, clappin' Lauren ---
There's Eddie and there's Jordan
Making sounds quite "foreign" ---
There's Andrew and Ruben To-Le-do,
The tallest pair ---
And finally, there's Garrett
Who seems always in Prayer.
What does he pray for,
This boy so serious and bold . . .
Who, when he's interrupted,
Will just put God "On Hold"? ! ?
"Wait just a minute, "
He has been heard to say,
"I'll deal with this problem
And then continue to pray . . . ."
Many of us are guilty
Of telling God to "wait" ---
Too busy with our own lives,
We tempt "The Hand of Fate"!
We could all learn a good lesson
From this "Special" group.
We think we're "cool" and "mellow",
But have we heard the "Scoop"? ! ?
God knows whose hearts are pure
And whose thoughts are innocent . . .
He knows who to smile on,
And He knows where Harm was meant.
And He sent these "Special" children
As a little test . . .
So we could learn Compassion
And work to do our best.
So, let's try not to Fail;
Let's just do as we are told . . . .
We'll strive to be better
And stop putting God "On Hold"!
Fairfield, CA