Many kids on the spectrum have a fascination, obsession or favorite something from time to time. I’ve seen my child gravitate to Legos, Marvel super heroes, Power Rangers and some other things I’m sure I’ve forgotten! Yet, one that has never faded is his fascination with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

I’ve probably purchased over a hundred turtles in the last ten plus years. I would have never imagined they could come in so many variations!

We have movie videos, television shows, toys, you name it. You’d think I’d be sick of them by now.

But I’m not.

These turtles were one of the very first things Lan cared to actually talk about. In those early days I was hungry and desperate for any words he would offer. If they were about green turtles, so be it!

As the years went by and Lan ventured to talk to strangers, he would ask them about their favorite turtle. I never thought he would get much of a response from most people.

I was wrong.

I’d forgotten there were now adults in their twenties and thirties who grew up with the turtles. They have recollections of going to see those first TMNT movies. A few even have their original toys stashed in an attic or basement.

From teachers and karate instructors to family and friends, people would answer Lan’s questions about their favorite turtle and then ask him about his.

And he would answer.

Energetically, with more than two-word sentences!

It’s amazing how God can take something so simple really, and do the miraculous with it. At that point I’m sure there were several people who doubted Lan would ever hold a regular conversation.

But God!

God can take what we have and in His hands, change it into something so much more. Something seemingly trivial in the grand scheme of things can become a gateway to answered prayer.

I really hadn’t given it much thought before.  Mutant ninja turtles certainly were not my intended topic for this post, but for all they’ve done to help pull my man out of his shell…

I’ll be ever grateful.

We’ll check out the latest movie this weekend. And if you were wondering, Lan’s favorite ninja turtle is not Raphael. I thought since we shared a name it would be his favorite when he was younger.

But he chose Donatello. Go figure?!

Who’s your favorite turtle?

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise,” 1 Corinthians 1:27