At first, having a child with special needs seemed like an impossible and daunting job. Looking back a t the scared mom I was five years ago, I wish I knew then what I know now. If I could go back in time, this is what I would say… Dealing with the diagnosis is one of the hardest parts of the journey. Eventually, you will get in a new rhythm of life, and sometimes, even if just for a while, you … [Read more...]
4 Ways to Press Through Your Biggest Parenting Fear
True Confessions: I don't follow the news. Maybe it's because I get enough news from my daughters' teachers, doctors, and therapists. Maybe because I'd rather read a novel or stare at a wall with the 10 minutes of free time I have during the day. Or maybe it's because I know I'll find stories like the one last weekend. Ones that fracture the heart of a mom raising a child with mental … [Read more...]
Crushed
There are so many things about my faith life that took on deep and new meaning when I became the mother of a child with special needs. The time leading to Easter always offers the opportunity to contemplate the life of Jesus in richer, more profound ways. Even in the busy-ness of raising an “extra-grace-required” children, these days bring to mind stories of Palm Sunday, driving out the … [Read more...]
Reckless Love
Do you ever worry about your child’s future? Find anxious questions crowding your mind? Where will she live as an adult? What job will be best for her? Who will care for him after you’re gone? How can anyone ever care for him as well as you? I’ve lost countless hours of sleep to these kinds of worries. And then I saw a movie that helped me look at my son’s future in a whole new light… Last night … [Read more...]
Letting Go
Chelsea and Charlie in 2005 Philipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Chelsea came in the room, “Mom look I got another college theatre scholarship!” I was so excited for her and very proud. She is 6 years older than her brother Charlie who has autism. She was about 9 when we got the diagnosis. She didn’t really understand at the time. Even when he wasn’t talking and … [Read more...]
Bitter or comforted?
Hard circumstances almost always go hand-in-hand with the temptation to become bitter. Grief either tenderizes us or hardens us and the truth is, sometimes it does both. How do we get bitter? We don't dwell in the comfort God has provided, instead we dwell on the disappointments of what we thought life should give us. Sometimes when I see little boys running around with their happy moms, … [Read more...]