Michael’s Birthday

It is his big day. He turns twenty five today and he smiles broadly. Actually, he looks more like a 15 year old. You see, Michael is autistic.

The family gathers around the table and everyone stares at the Dominican-style cake in the middle complete with marshmallow frosting. It’s traditional, of course. It’s also traditional for Jasmine, his mother, to lead in prayer.

A few hours earlier, it wasn’t so happy a scene. I was debating with Mom whether we should even go.

“Mom, you just got out of the hospital. Are you up to going to this? And, besides, I don’t hardly know these people. We might feel left out.”

“I feel fine, fine!” Mom exclaimed. “Besides, it’s Sister Maria’s family. Don’t you remember Jasmine?”

“Yeah, a little bit, but not real clearly. I think I was away at college.”

“No, you were there, I think. I can’t remember…but let’s go anyway! Besides, I’ve got the perfect card for Michael right here.”

She pulled out a card with a picture of four singing dogs on it and stuffed in twenty five dollars.”

“Put this in your purse.”

“Okay, okay!” We left the house in the pouring rain and it was still falling down when we got there.

We walked in. Everyone went overboard to make us feel welcome and part of the family. Then, Jasmine began to share her story with us and I shared mine. Here is a composite of both of them.

It all started years ago when I got saved on the sidewalk at Winter Park High School only about two miles away. I was fifteen years old. Someone shared a tract with me that had the plan of salvation in it. I went home and told my mom about what had happened. It wasn’t long after that that she got saved, too, at a neighbor’s house. My sisters and brothers heard the Gospel soon after this also.

Next, we started to go to different churches  as a family to find just the right one. Finally, we found one we liked. We were so excited, though, we didn’t want to wait until Sunday to have church. We got the idea of having prayer meetings in our home every Friday night. It was with the approval of our pastor and even was put in the church bulletin. We didn’t know the Bible that much, but we had a lot of enthusiasm. There was no order of service either. It was whatever God laid on our hearts.

We met a lady named Maria at church and found out she had just gotten saved, too. She began coming to our house every Friday night for prayer along with a few other ladies from church. We never had very many, but it was still great fun singing, praying, playing instruments and worshipping the Lord.

One night, the Spirit was so strong Sister Maria called her daughter on the phone.

“Get over here right now to Sister Janet’s house! The Spirit is moving and you need to get saved!”

“Oh, mom, I can’t! It’s one o’clock in the morning! I’ve got a big Chemistry test tomorrow and I’ve got to get some sleep!”

“Forget, the Chemistry test and get over here right now! This is more important!”

Reluctantly, she entered our home. However, the moment she walked in, the Spirit was so strong she fell on her knees, repented, and accepted Christ as her personal Savior. She was there crying and praying in our living room all night. And her name was Jasmine.

She started going to church, met a nice guy named Daniel there and got married. Now, thirty five years later Michael is the result of that union. And Jasmine’s sister, Leslie, and her brother, Theo and her niece, Anaura and her nephew, Robert and their children, among others, all heard the Gospel. And some of them got saved, too.  

We gathered around to pray, then we all sang and clapped. I had tears in my eyes.

Michael blew out the candles. He opened his card and smiled again. Jasmine looked at us and whispered thank you. And that cake sure did taste good…

Cast thy bread upon the waters and thou shalt find it after many days. (Eccl. 11:1)