My Son Peter Has Autism. Some People Abort Babies Like Him, But He Brings Us Pure Joy

Every year, our Christmas plans involve trying to find kid-friendly activities for our middle child, Peter. Peter is 20 years old but has mild/moderate autism and the communication skills of a four-year-old.

His delight is in simple things – such as driving through neighborhoods to see Christmas lights or seeing a living Nativity. It helps the rest of us in the family keep a sense of innocence and joy not only during the Christmas season but also throughout the year.

Joy seems like such a simple thing, but it is far more complex. Joy is not just happiness. True joy means finding a sense of peace through our faith in God even in the most difficult of times. It is a state of being that is internal and related to the eternal.

In this movement, we may not always be able to say that we are happy with the way an election turns out or when a pro-life law is enjoined. But we can find joy in our circumstances and have peace in knowing that God is in control.

Follow LifeNews on the MeWe social media network for the latest pro-life news free from Facebook’s censorship!

On my son’s Christmas wish list this year is green slime. He has asked for Play-Doh or green slime every Christmas for the last five years and he is incredibly happy if he receives one or both. His favorite Christmas present experience is often opening his stocking where he finds inexpensive gifts such as silly toys or a pack of his favorite candy. But to him these things far outweigh the expensive gifts he may receive because of the easy enjoyment they bring.

Peter’s wants are simple and uncomplicated, but he derives immeasurable pleasure from these experiences and teaches the rest of us daily to look for the simple pleasures in life.

With the challenges that have come to the pro-life movement so quickly following the Dobbs decision, we could be discouraged. But, despite these challenges, the pro-life movement still has the same simple, straightforward, and righteous calling it has always had: to save lives.

And we can find joy in this.

In James 1:2-3, the Bible says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

The pro-abortion movement has had a lot of wins recently, but the fact is that the pro-life movement can save lives regardless of who wins the most court cases or who wins an election.

We can persevere.

The pro-abortion movement cannot steal our joy or our faith or, more importantly, how we can share that with others.

They may have the mainstream media on their side. But they certainly can’t prevent us from befriending the young woman in need or the young couple struggling to do what is right.

They may have the White House on their side. But they can’t stop us from donating our time and energies or providing financial support to our local pregnancy center or right-to-life affiliate.

They may have friends in Hollywood. But they can’t stop us from winning hearts and minds by talking to family, friends, and neighbors about the right to life.

It’s that simple.

So, this Christmas season, let us renew our commitment and be reminded that our Savior came as an infant who was born 2,000 years ago in a time of trouble and hardship.

His light shines even brighter in times of adversity.

LifeNews.com Note: Laura Echevarria is the Director of Media Relations and a spokesperson for the National Right to Life Committee.