This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. The Editor can be reached at 770-468-7583 or at editor(at)PikeCountyTimes(dot)com. Pike County Times is a website for citizens to keep up with local events and stay informed about Pike County government. It began on November 13, 2006 as a watchdog on county government and has turned into an online newspaper.
If you enjoy reading Pike County Times, consider buying an advertisement for your business or sending a donation to support Pike County Times. Donations can be sent to: The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Thanks for supporting Pike County Times.com!
By Guest Columnist Deborah Dennis
It's hard to believe, but another year has snuck up on us. Time has a way of doing that. So does weight. That has to be the #1 New Year's Resolution of all time. Too many holiday cookies, fatty foods and good old indulgence. Last week, I screamed in horror when my husband suprised me with a snapshot of me he took while I was cooking for Christmas Eve. "Look baby, I'm gonna put this by my nightstand", he said. Great.
Before I crawl into the fetal position from that scary image, let's talk about a weight of a different matter. The weight of regret. Or how about the weight of bad decisions of all kinds, personal, financial, and so on? Or even worse, the weight of feeling like no matter how hard you try, you just don't measure up to other's expectations, especially your own?
Hit home yet? I propose before we all get consumed with taking off physical weight, that will probably take all year, how about we take a few moments and shed the emotional weight from 2011. It's over, the fat lady has sung.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us to throw off every weight that entangles us so that we may run with endurance, the race set before us. We all have a purpose in this life, beyond the day-to-day grind. So I'm taking the moment to throw off all my emotional "cookies" so that I can focus on my race for 2012.
In my first article, I talked openly regarding being the mother of a child with Autism. My intent was to bring more community awareness not just for Owen's sake, but for all children with special needs in our county. That has not changed. I believe that this is a family-oriented community and that we can achieve not just awareness for all of our children, but support to their loving families who struggle everyday for acceptance and understanding.
I think as humans, our thinking can be so narrow and limited. We have a tendancy to shut out what we don't understand. Because of Owen, I have the privilege of knowing many children with special needs. I tell you, just like all children, they are "fearfully and wonderfully made", unique individuals in their own right, hand-crafted by the hand of God. If you don't know any, I urge you to open up your heart.
I will leave you with this. This was written by an eleven year old boy with Autism who is non-verbal. His name is David.
When you look into the sky
The stars are all you'll ever see.
I have chosen instead to see
The possibilities lying in between.
Happy New Year, see you at the finish line.
10.3.11 Column
10.27.11 Column
12.1.11 Column
1.6.12 Column
There is an Autism and Spectrum Disorders Support Group in our area. Go to the Calendar of Events page and scroll down from the top to find out about Jeremiah's Promise and how you can become a part of this group.