Mornings for Aaron are definitely the time of day that he struggles the most. It can really be hard for him to get out of his warm bed and face the day. Not every morning is difficult, but let’s just say that for Aaron the majority of mornings do not have a right side of the bed. Both sides are wrong!
Aaron realizes this about himself. Therefore, sometimes he will tell me to give him a morning reminder that will hopefully help him to be cheerful. The reminders are about something that the day will hold…something that he is looking forward to and so will encourage him to get up happily.
For instance, he loves going to Meals on Wheels on Thursday mornings but sometimes he knows on Wednesday night that he may be grouchy the next day.
“Mom,” he says, “tomorrow morning if I don’t want to get out of bed just say Buster.’’
Buster is the little dog at one of our homes that Aaron loves to see and to pet. And Buster loves seeing Aaron.
Or on Valentine’s Day, when we were going to pick up roses to take to his day group friends, he knew the night before that he might be irritated about getting up.
“Mom,” he told me, “if I start getting mad in the morning just say roses.”
I love Aaron’s plan of action. I know he truly does want to be nice in the mornings. Sometimes his plan works, and well, other times it doesn’t.
One recent evening we were watching a favorite show. Aaron was all comfy and relaxed on the couch, legs covered in his ever-present blanket, and enjoying a yummy snack. He was the picture of contentment.
Such was not the case hours earlier as we worked to get Aaron out of bed and on his way for the day. That morning he was the picture of frustration and anger.
As we sat on the couch enjoying our program, Aaron was filled with happiness. He finally looked over at me.
“I love you, Mom,” he said.
The moment was genuine and so sweet.
“I love you too, Aaron,” I replied.
Then he seemed to remember our unhappy morning.
“Tell me I said that in the morning when you’re getting me up,” he added.
His words were a stop-me-in-my-tracks moment.
How many times in my life have I been filled with contentment as things are going well? Then it’s easy to tell God that I love Him. And I mean it when I say those words to Him.
But sometimes the bottom falls out.
Gary and I had been married for five years before Aaron was born. That positive pregnancy test was SO huge to us! How thankful we were! How full of love for God and His sweet blessing in our lives!
Now here we are, 37 years later, in a place we never dreamed we would be with Aaron.
Seizures. Autism. Behaviors.
Can I still lift my eyes to God and tell Him that I love Him?
Those warm fuzzy ecstatic moments of my first pregnancy are long gone.
In their place are many moments of worry, sadness, frustration, and bone-wearying exhaustion.
But here’s the thing. I know God in a deeply personal way.
And I know that often His ways in my life are filled with heartache and pain so that I will grow to be more like Jesus.
God hasn’t changed one little bit.
But He calls me to change, and His word tells me that this change toward likeness in Christ will involve the hard things.
Sometimes I have to will myself to remember all the reasons I have told God that I love Him.
And those reasons cannot be based on my circumstances that are happy and fun.
The reasons I love God are based on WHO He is…His character and His attributes.
I cannot base my love for God on how comfortable I am.
So, like Aaron, there are times in my life when I need to look at God and ask Him to remind me that I said I love Him.
Through my tears, fears, anger, hurt…through all the questions I have about God’s reasons and logic in my life…I must not lose my love for God.
Oh God, tomorrow…when things aren’t going too well, and I feel upset…remind me that I said I love You.
Remind me that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
And remind me of how very much You love me, too.
He Said What?! 
Ok, Patty, the title for the book you are writing should be “Lessons from Aaron”! This one is perfect for me. My love for God overwhelms me when things are going my way, but then , , , when things are NOT so perfect, sometimes I forget that God is actually in control, and I don’t need to worry. This was a great devotion for today. Thanks for writing your book! (smiling)
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I think every one of us are in the same boat when it comes to our happiness sometimes dictating our love for God. I appreciate you, Cheryl. Did you say book?! 🙂
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Love the post today and the photo with Aaron doing the bunny ears behind you guys is a classic!
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Thanks for reading, Pete. I love that picture, too. SO Aaron! 🙂
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Could I have permission to use this in my weekly handout devotional at the various nursing homes I visit? This story is so touching as well as perfect for my friends there. Of course I will list you as the author.
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I would be happy for you to share it, Pete.
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Thank you! We call our handout the Sunshine newsletter and it will appear in our April 8th edition. I will send you a copy when it when it is ready.
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That’s so kind, Pete. Thank you.
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Hooray for Aaron for trying so hard to work out his morning problem! Seriously! Waking up cheerful is not as easy for him as it might be for others, but he is taking the bull by the horns (so to speak) and I greatly admire that. Aaron, thanks for teaching me an important lesson about life. Everything isn’t easy, but we must persevere. God will help us. Blessings, Patty and Aaron!
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Thank you, Cindy. Blessings to you! 💖
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I appreciate you sharing these moments. It reminds us that every person has value and is precious to Jesus.
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Amen! Thank you, Matt.
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Patty, the picture of you and baby Aaron is absolutely precious! Aaron’s words, ““Tell me I said that in the morning when you’re getting me up” are so profound. I sat and thought on them for quite a bit. I can relate so much with Aaron in not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. As a matter of fact I usually spend the first 10 minutes after the alarm rings giving our Labrador Adi a belly rub while giving myself a pep talk to get myself out of the bed. My little morning pep talk usually includes the verse “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I might now “look at God and ask Him to remind me that I said I love Him”
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Thank you, Beth. I would rather pet Adi than get up on most mornings, let me tell you. 😊 God does have to remind me often that I said I love Him. I’m thankful He is so patient with me. Have a blessed weekend, Beth.
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This is so profound! “Remind me that I love you” Lord before my feet ever hit the ground, before I speak my first word, before I have my first action item on my never ending “to do” list (which I’ve mostly abandoned lately for ‘better things’). I agree with Cheryl, you need to write a book! Another priceless lesson from Aaron and you!
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Ah, thank you Cecilia. 💖
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I love Aaron’s plan of action. It is an inspiration to intentional choose my attitude. Thanks for the reminder that God is in control and we must remember our decision to love and trust Him❤️
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My word for last year was “remember.” It’s actually my word for life more and more. I need to remember! Blessings, Dawn.
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That was just beautiful!
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Thank you, Ann.
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Love this post Patty! I’m holding onto those words “tell me I said that when (fill in the blank)” we can all relate to frustrations and keeping in check with God and others helps hold us accountable and overcome the obstacles quicker.
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You’re so right, Alicia. Thanks for reading! Blessings!
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Inspiring and encouraging. It’s important not to lose sight of His live and also remind ourselves that we do love God in each season of our lives. Because His love in us keeps us going.
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We sure do have those seasons, don’t we? Some we love – some we don’t. I really need His reminders in my heart during the tough times. Blessings, Mercy!
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Hmm. True!
You are loved by Him, ma’am. ❤️
Amen, and to you too. 🙏🏻
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♥️♥️
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Tears here (AGAIN)! Aaron touched my heart with his request that you remind him in the morning that he said “I love you.” And your insightful observations kept the tears flowing. With you I pray the same: “Oh God, tomorrow…when things aren’t going too well, and I feel upset…remind me that I said I love You. Remind me that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. And remind me of how very much You love me, too.” AMEN, dear Patty!
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Thank you so much, Nancy. ♥️
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Once again I am searching for a tissue after I read your post! Thank you, Patty, for this precious reminder! Hugs and prayers!
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Thank you, Sindy. Have a very blessed day, my friend.
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Your posts are so very encouraging to me. I can truly connect to and relate to the very same emotions and thoughts in a way that only those of us who walk the journey of having a special needs child with autism can. Thank you for sharing from your heart. God bless you and your family. ❤️
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This means a lot to me, Tiffany. This road is unique, as is every other special needs road, and so it truly is strengthening to know that we walk it with others. May God bless you, too, and your family.
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