Hope and Encouragement for Special Needs MomsSample

Day Three

Strengthening the Friendship Muscle

Scriptures: Colossians 3:12-14; I Thessalonians 5:11; Galatians 6:2; James 5:16

We value good friends, but do we value being a good friend? How do we strengthen our own skills of being a friend to others, especially when we’re exhausted from being a special needs parent? We acknowledge this can be difficult to do, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be the friend others need.

Practice forgiveness.

Forgiveness means giving up my right to hurt you when you have hurt me. As special needs moms, we often have to forgive the random cousin who said something offensive about our child, friends who just don’t get it, and often ourselves. Forgiveness is a daily practice and it’s never easy. It doesn’t mean we won’t feel hurt when we think about that person or set up healthy boundaries, so those situations don’t occur again. But it does mean that we are giving up the right for revenge and are not holding on to bitterness. Colossians tell us that because of Jesus, we are chosen, holy, and dearly loved and to clothe ourselves with kindness, patience, and compassion. This might feel overwhelming but think of taking it in small steps. What’s one way you can show patience toward a friend today? Ask God to give you the ability to forgive that family member who doesn’t understand and live as a holy, chosen, loved child of God.

Practice encouragement.

It can be challenging to carry another’s burden when our own is heavy, but maybe that's because we see this as monumental acts of charity. Instead, encouragement can be caring for another person, or building them up in small ways. As we practice encouragement in our friendships, it might mean sending a random text, smiling at someone in the doctor’s waiting room, or approaching someone with a special needs child. Encouragement might also mean the courage to share your story with a friend, choosing to be honest instead of saying everything is okay, or listening to someone else’s grief without comparison. When we encourage one another, we are asking, "How can I build this person up instead of tearing them down? What compassion do they need that I can show?" What is one way you can encourage someone today?

Practice intercession.

Praying for one another can also strengthen the muscle of friendship. Sometimes it might be the only thing we can do, but it’s the most important. You are pleading the case of someone else on their behalf, knowing that we may not always have the right words or requests. Still, the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:27). There may be moments that we aren’t able to make the meal, care for someone’s child, or meet the needs of a friend. But we can pray this simple prayer, “Lord, send someone to meet their needs today.”

Who in your life needs intercession? Can you stop and pray for them right now?