The Macaw caught my eye. Was it real or stuffed? Soon I found out.
The aisles in the tropical bird store were crammed with supplies for bird-lovers. I stepped back to snap a picture of the feathery creature and knocked into a shelf of feeders. “Uh-oh,” flew out of my mouth proclaiming my fear that they’d all topple over.
“Uh-oh,” echoed back.
Did I just hear that? To confirm my suspicions, I repeated my reaction. “Uh-oh.”
“Uh-oh,” bellowed back the refrain from the perch. That parrot, asserted itself by honking, “Uh-oh!” As if mocking my clumsiness. Proclaiming my private mistake to the entire store.
Thankfully, a parrot can’t repeat unspoken words. Ideas hidden in peoples’ minds are safe.
“A penny for your thoughts.” Would you reveal your most intimate thoughts so cheaply?
That phrase won’t necessary buy accurate information from a child with mental illness (MI). You might only get silence or a glare.
Years ago, when I attended part of Chris’s appointments with his psychologist, the doctor would ask, “So Chris, what are you thinking?”
Chris often looked at me as if to say, “I’m not gonna say anything with her here. My thoughts are private.”
Can you blame him? Would you willingly reveal your every thought? Certainly not the ugly ones.
Thankfully, most of us can suppress vindictive, angry, impure or judgmental thoughts. We put the mental brakes on opinions that threaten to contaminate our conversations. We resist the temptation to blurt out impressions like, “Wow! I can’t believe she …” We stifle our speech when feeling, “I wish he would just …”
Foreign thoughts that invade our thinking are annoying. It could be worse. What if we couldn’t trust our thoughts? That would be horrifying. That’s what it’s like for individuals with MI who hear voices. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish real from unreal.
We can help children who hear voices by suggesting how to distinguish between real and unreal. Those that spew hurtful or hateful messages are most likely not real; they’re symptoms of MI. The best offense is to fill their minds with undeniable Truth. God is real. He loves them.
We need to remind ourselves of that fact. God is real. And His love for us is very real.
Troubles seem to stalk our families. Bazaar behaviors become the norm. We seem to stumble through dark days searching for an ounce of hope. Praying for normalcy.
I don’t know about you, but there were days I thought I’d simply ignore the reality of MI in my life. As if I could will it away with positive thoughts.
Today, I’m going to be at peace.
But anxious thoughts would ambush my plan. Worries would pounce on my artificial peace. And pound away at my awareness of His presence. Sometimes I’d experience more subtle attacks. My focus would meander throughout the day. Carefree thoughts would focus on this chore and that errand. Then curiosity would lure me down dark paths in my mind.
I wonder if Chris is sitting alone at lunch. Did he remember to ask the teacher for testing in a quiet setting?
Such seductive contemplation would suddenly entrap me. I’d find myself snarled in my own deception.
Chris can’t be okay because no one is there to help him.
Then I’d come to my senses and remember God wouldn’t abandon Chris. At those times, I refused to allow concerns to trample my trust in Him.
How could my trust in God be unshakable? Because of who He is.
In my training to be a vision support teacher, I had to experience what it’s like to be blind. The professor instructed me to wear a blindfold and follow a sighted guide. My level of trust depended on the person leading. If I knew he’d protect me from injury, I relaxed. If my guide had difficulties paying attention, I peeked under my blindfold. Knowing I had to depend on myself.
The more I know of God and His love for me, the more I can rest in His care. I assure myself: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6)”
Thank You, Father, that You’re very real. Your Word is true and I can depend on Your love. Make Your presence known to me today in greater ways. Align and synchronize my thoughts with Yours.
God answers, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)”
Rejoice in His strength as you listen to Hillsong’s ‘Believe.’
MI: mom 2 mom 