Rays of Hope for Special Needs MomsSample

If you’re anything like me, there’s a phrase that people say to me often. “You’re so strong.” And if you’re anything like me, you have a love/hate relationship with this phrase.

In one way, people are validating me, making me feel seen, and saying they see the strength and wisdom that has come from special needs parenting. But in another way, it’s invalidating me because it’s easy to tell someone they’re strong as if to say they don’t need my help because they’ve got it.

And most days, in fact, probably 9 out of 10 days, I don’t FEEL strong. I feel impatient, frustrated, discouraged, and exhausted in my parenting. But this verse reminds us that God is our strength. It’s not us, it’s Him. HIS strength. And to me, that is SUCH a relief!

He is our refuge, a place to run to when we don’t feel safe or when we’re in trouble. I don’t know if I’m the only parent who’s yelled a little too loud, said the wrong thing, or completely dropped the ball, but in those moments, we need to remember to run to the Father. Our strength and our help. He can give us peace. He can comfort us.

On the days you don’t feel strong, and on the days you do, remember that we don’t have to carry the weight on our shoulders. In fact, you may need to give Him some of that weight today. We are not made to carry it because we aren’t strong enough. But HE is. He is faithful, and we can always depend on Him. This verse says so!

Prayer

“God, thank you. On the days I can't even find the verbal words to pray, thank you for being my strength. Thank you for allowing me to run to you whenever I need refuge, when I’m afraid, when I’m weak, when I’m frustrated, and when I’m scared. And you never turn me away; You always welcome me with open arms. I fail you daily, but you NEVER fail me or my family. Thank you for your grace and mercy today and every day.”