The Power of Doritos

The Power of Doritos
Monday, May 7, 2018 by pam

Anna is what they call “non-verbal” which means she doesn’t really use her words for her main source of communication. Even though she can. She’s capable. Anna likes to stand in front of me and stare. And I have to ask, “What would you like?” And she’ll say, “Okay!”

“But you didn’t tell me anything!” I say. “What would you like?”

She responds, “Please!”

ARGH! “Anna! What. Do. You. Want?”

“Okay!” Then she turns and goes back to her couch. See, she wants me to read her mind so she doesn’t have to talk. That’s the autism.

HOWEVER … the other day, I gave her a bowl of Nacho Cheese Doritos and some juice. I was in the kitchen, cleaning up after lunch. I hear her behind me so I turned around and there she was with her empty bowl. And without any prompting from me, she said, “Want more chips.”

WOO HOO!!! Do you know how HUGE this is? My almost 27-year-old daughter asked for more chips without me having to prompt her! The power of Doritos! hahahahaha! That’s kinda hard to truly understand if you don’t have a special needs child, but it’s just like when a child is maybe 2 or 3 years old and they ask for something without prompting. You get so excited that they got it!!! That’s what I live with – little moments like that. Moments that may never happen again.

But I’ll take them when I can get them.

I shared this with a group of moms who also have special kids. One mom thought about it, and she wrote such a beautiful response, I want to share part of it with you (with her permission).

Laura said:

Yes, when your child is dependent on you in most ways equal to a two-year-old, you rejoice in these milestones. You never, EVER give up hope. Anna’s achievement was equal to a mommy hearing her seven-month-old say, “Ma-ma” for the first time. And, yes, Pam rejoiced the same.

This incident got me thinking.

At times, I think we feel that God doesn’t rejoice over us quite the way He did when we were new Christians, or quite the same way He did when we were “being good”.

When the metaphorical ‘chips’ (anything we need to pursue God and to help His people) are down, He truly wants us to ask for the provisions and resources we need to do His will – that thing he sent us here to do.

Our Heavenly Father’s love for us is so pure and unconditional. I picture Him sitting on His throne cheering us all on. He smiles and laughs with us. He’s terribly proud when we succeed. He is so relieved and excited when we choose Him, when we use His love and empowerment to do those things He sent us to do. He never gives up on us! Never!

Today, when I go before Him in prayer, I think He would rejoice in hearing me say, “Want more chips!”

Is Laura right or what?

So …. go forth, my friends, and ask for more chips!

Comments

Chris Wachter From Pennsylvania At 5/8/2018 9:28:03 AM

Thank you for sharing! I don't think I will ever look at a bag of Doritos the same way again. Blessings!

Reply by: Pam Halter

I know, right? hahaha!

Brandy Brow From Vermont At 5/7/2018 12:47:59 PM

I love this!

Reply by: Pam Halter

Me, too! Maybe we should ask for salsa with our chips. ;)

Laura kirk From Bremen, Ga At 5/7/2018 12:31:47 PM

You know, reading your recounting of the happy moment made me think of an additional truth. Just as you get frustrated that Anna will not use her words, I feel God feels the same when we don’t use ours. Like He said, “You receive not because you do not ask, ask and you shall receive.”