Capable

What can someone on the spectrum do? Let’s plunge into the Deeper Waters and find out.

I work at the seminary Post Office. Often students and professors come in for packages and to check and receive mail. Sometimes, the general pubilc comes in also wanting to mail something. Earlier this week, we had someone come in and in the midst of talking, my boss and I found out she worked at a school teaching autistic children.

Many people know I am on the spectrum here, but I am surprised some do not. I recently met with someone who works closely with our seminary president asking him if he could help me get speaking engagements as well as talking about the PhD program and possibly some undergrad teaching here after I get my Master’s. I mentioned speaking on video games and Christianity and then said I am also one of the bset to speak on Autism and Christianity.

“Why is that?”

I was surprised he didn’t know. In some ways, that’s a compliment. I blend in so well that people can’t tell. Many people who come into the seminary are like that. It’s often a mystery to them. If they ask “How are you?” I say nothing in response seeing as I abslutely despise the question. I also do realize I am often sort of staring off at something else when I am communicating with someone.

My boss tells me after the customers leave that she has a godchild on the spectrum and wants to know more about my process of finding out I was on the spectrum. I have to call my Mom on this one seeing as I don’t remember much of it. I get the relevant information and then start telling my boss about what my mother was told about me.

I was told I would never graduate from high school and definitely never go to college. I wouldn’t hold a job and I would always be living at home. I would never get married.

All wrong.

Sometimes, I still think about that. I think about that when I raelize I am driving in my own car to my job at the seminary that I live at dwelling in my own apartment. These were things the experts said would never happen, but my parents and I never accept3ed no for an answer. I was a fighter always wanting to push onward.

Now I realize I am not everyone. There are things I am not capable of and things I struggle with. I can do them or hopefully will do them someday, but for now, it’s a struggle. I am not saying to deny reality, but I am saying that people can do great things if they are willing to many times. I consider it a testimony to others that I refused to be a victim, which is why I hate how our culture celebrates victimhood.

Things are tough sometimes, but I am still making it. I have been through several crises, the latest being a divorce, and I still play on. (If you want to support the work I am doing here, there is a Patreon below) The biggest reason has been my strong Christian faith I love the verse in Corinthians about God using that which the world shames to bring Him glory.

If you have someone in your life on the spectrum, watch them. They could be capable of something great. Give them a chance to shine.

In Christ,
Nick Peters
(And I affirm the virgin birth)