Tylenol Didn’t Make My Family Awesome…God did!
If you’re in the Autism world (and even if not!), I’m sure you’ve seen the recent headline. “Tylenol…linked to Autism.” The first time I saw that, I just chuckled. Looked like another money-hungry scheme to me.
But then I began to see it within the Autism groups I’m in, and what I saw on BOTH sides (Autism Moms/Parents and Autism Adults) broke my heart.
I have shared in the past that I find myself in the middle of the two worlds of Autism. I believe in Neurodivergence, but I also believe every single person has a place they need to heal. It’s just a fact of life. I don’t believe the neurodivergence of Autism needs to be cured, but I do believe there are folks suffering that need medical help/attention. I see and affirm both sides. (You can see from the graphic how I feel about me and my family. 😂)
So when I saw this ad being circulated, I felt so sad by what I was seeing. Autistic adults raging but mostly because of their deep sadness and having lived a lifetime of rejection for who they are—asking the deep wound question: “Why do I need to be cured or eradicated?”
Then on the parent side I saw parents begin to blame themselves for trying to help their child feel better by using an over the counter product. Not for giving them bleach (this still makes me sick to my stomach to say—and I can’t believe people do this), but for giving them something that is very commonly used and recommended by the family doctor to help relieve general discomfort. Now I’m about as hippy/crunchy as someone can get, and even I’m not above giving some OTC relief when it gets to that level. No parent wants to see their child in pain. But I know for a fact that Tylenol did not cause my family to be so awesome—God made us this way! 🎉
I have seen the plan of the enemy in this season and spoiler alert: it is 100% to divide. And it’s not the obvious opposites division—that happens naturally. Ohhh no. It is division of the same. Christians against Christians. Country against itself. Family against each other. Autism parents vs Autistic adults. No people group is safe from this divisive spirit. The sword is sharp and it is thick.
What is the defense against this? It’s actually a simple solution, but much harder in practice. Love.
Love is PATIENT.
Love is KIND.
It does not ENVY or BOAST.
It is not PROUD.
It does not DISHONOR OTHERS.
It is not SELF-SEEKING.
It is not EASILY ANGERED.
It keeps NO RECORD OF WRONGS.
It does not DELIGHT IN EVIL but REJOICES WITH TRUTH.
It ALWAYS PROTECTS, TRUSTS, HOPES, and PERSEVERES.
LOVE NEVER FAILS.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)
What is the measure that you use to gauge how well you are loving people? Not just your neighbor, but also your brother? The one just like you that has a different experience? Your measure should not be how your political group behaves. It should not be even how your church “loves” in many cases. This chapter in the Bible is REAL love. It is the Gold Standard on how to love a person well. Are you more committed to your cause or to loving your brother/neighbor?
Love is patient. Love is kind. Are you responding on Facebook or social media in love? Or are you just a “noise” as Paul says in 1 Corinthians?
I used to take the bait and join in the offense. I was a basket case of emotion because of it. I have learned to take a beat, analyze the situation, try to see both sides, and IF a response is required, I share my experience in love. (Very rarely is a response actually needed though.)
And that’s why I share this today. Because I really want to challenge you to think about how and what you share and what that might do to another human. Because we are ALL human. (Except Facebook. Facebook is a robot. 😂)
There are hearts on the other side of that post. Before you convince yourself that what you’re about to share will “help” someone, check your motives for sharing. Pause. There’s peace in the pause.
And next time I have a few minutes, I’m going to unpack what the Lord showed me in more detail about ALL humans—neurodivergent or neurotypical. 🙂
Blessings,
~Nikki
