A common "stereotype" of a person who is in a wheel chair is that the chair itself limits that person from living a full life and balanced life. Sometimes when we are in public people will make comments like "poor kid to be so limited." ( I personally find this very rude and really have to hold my tongue) The fact is for Lilly a wheelchair enables her to do things that she once could not. In … [Read more...]
The Comparison Trap
"I can't believe that her son is already talking. I'm still struggling to get mine to say his first words!" "Look at that mom taking all of those pictures of her daughter. I haven't taken a photo in a year. I am such a bad mom." "Ugh. Look how healthy her kids are eating. I have to get it together in the meal department." Does this sound familiar? Do you ever find yourself thinking … [Read more...]
“This Is My Son”
Beside his crib I watched him breathe, as each breath seemed his last; And in the darkness time stood still, yet moved so very fast. “Where is my faith, my trust, my hope? Where is this God of love?” “This is my son!” I quietly cried into the brass above. Strong yet helpless there I knelt and held his tiny hand; Wondering if the God of Jacob soon would make a stand. As dreams imagined … [Read more...]
The Secret in Not Knowing
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” - John 14:5 Do you know what I most want right now? The details. "Sit me down, God," I pray, "Press some heavenly remote that lowers a screen from the clouds above—one big enough to make the guys at Best Buy cry with envy." This is my prayer..."God, would you light up that screen with an … [Read more...]
Make Lattes, Not War
Forgiveness. It seems like a 1,000-pound bench press, a crushing load, impossibly heavy to lift. But forgiveness isn’t a one-time heft above our heads to declare our spiritual duty done. It’s more like a marathon. (Or, for those like me, who shudder at the thought of running a 5K, it’s more like a really, really long-distance stroll—preferably with a coffee in hand.) But whether you … [Read more...]
You are enough
I know your worried thoughts, the ones that keep you up at night lulling you to sleep, the thoughts that sometimes accuse you as you parent your child with special needs: Could I do more? Am I enough? Maybe if I could get my child to try the new therapy - the one that promises great results - then maybe my child's mobility would finally improve. If I could get my insurance to cover more … [Read more...]