Check Your Heart…

I don’t know about you, but in all of my years parenting a special needs child, I have never come across another parent who felt like they had more than enough support, encouragement and help in their life. Most parents I have met and talked with, all share very similar stories of  friends, family members and sometimes even spouses, not understanding the demands that are placed on them physically, emotionally, mentally, or  financially.  I think all parents, whether their children are typical or have special needs, know what it’s like to, feel overwhelmed and tired… to wish for more hours in the day…  to dream of having a break  and to have people understand what they deal with day in and day out.

I don’t think most of us sit and  try to dwell on the negatives in our lives…but I have spoken with so many  parents who have found they have unconsciously allowed walls of bitterness, anger and unforgiveness  to build up in their heart’s. So many  have been let down more times than they can count by people who say they will be there and then they don’t follow through. So many have been hurt  by careless or hurtful words, or unkind stares…. and it is especially painful when those words and actions come from people who are supposed to care and “get it”.

We get angry when our children are bullied, neglected, mistreated, abused or ignored. We have to be in “fight mode” more than we’d like, to make sure that  our children get the medical care, services and attention that they need and deserve.   Often, we are so focused on just getting through the days and trying to cope with the most pressing needs… that subconsciously, we bury and stuff down all the  things that we just don’t have time to deal with. If we’re not careful, all of the hurts, anger and  sorrows can pile up in our heart’s before we even realize it.

We need to pray to ask God to keep our hearts soft, even when we must be in “warrior mode” as we advocate for our children. Unforgiveness and anger weigh us down. They choke the life out of us… they rob us of joy… and we already have too many things we deal with that are trying to do that to us!  I’d like to offer a prayer today…

Our Father,

We thank you for this day. We thank you for working in our lives and we thank you for the privilege of being parents. Lord, we ask that you would forgive us of our sins. Cleanse our heart’s. See if there is anything in us, that we need to let go of. If we have unforgiveness, anger or bitterness… please root it out. Help us to let go of  our hurts, disappointments and expectations of others, so we can be free to love as you do… and so we can be filled with your joy and peace. Help us to release all the negative things that we encounter as defenders and advocates for our children. What we can’t do on our own, we can do with your help, Lord. We lay our worries, burdens and pain at your feet, Lord. We trust our children to you and we know that You are their greatest supporter and advocate and with you on our side, we cannot fail. Lord, give us your wisdom and discernment that we might know which battles to fight and which ones to walk away from. Help us to see others through your eyes and with your love…help us to love our enemies as ourselves and grant us patience, love and understanding for the difficult people in our lives. Lord, we know that what you call us to, you equip us for. Go before us this day, Lord. Please meet every need  and bless us Lord, so we can bless others. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Here is a link from my website if you need some more help in dealing with forgiveness. http://hopeforthebrokenhearted.com/forgiveness

Much love in Him,

Debbie Kay

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Debbie Kay

Debbie Kay is an author/ speaker/ singer and a credentialed minister, who is certified in Grief Recovery and trained as a Life Coach. She is also a Ministry Associate of Joni and Friends. She has a ministry called " Hope For The Broken Hearted" which offers resources pertaining to grief, death, divorce, abuse, chronic illness and disability and daily words of encouragement, support and prayer through social media. She is the parent of a special needs son and they live in CA.

Latest posts by Debbie Kay (see all)

• Autism Awareness - April 7, 2014
• God’s Strength For The Day - March 3, 2014
• The Source of Our Joy - February 3, 2014