3 Days Of Encouragement For Parents Of Children With DisabilitiesSample

One of the things you are going to have to get used to as a parent of a child with a disability is that people don’t understand. I wish I could say that they eventually understand once they’re involved in your lives and see firsthand what your family goes through, but it isn’t going to happen. Why? They don’t live it. 

I used to come home furious and in tears because the people around me had little to no consideration of what we were going through as a family. My tears did not help the situation at home. Grace Anna had to have more surgeries, and she still had pain. My tears and pity party were not going to make things better. I had to realize that other people had to live their lives, and we had to live ours. They can only understand so much of a life that they themselves do not live. I often felt absolutely alone, but if I had just remembered God’s Word, I would have realized that God was right there, waiting for me to look up.

It gets hard. It gets old. But God never said life would be easy. All throughout the Bible, we read of people like Job, Peter, Gideon, and many more whose lives were anything but easy. Their lives teach us that people will not always lift you up. Instead we must remember that God helped them through each trial. He will help you, too, if you ask him to guide you.

You must also realize that everyone is going through something. Other people’s lives may seem perfect, but no one’s is. Do we reach out to them? Are we there for other people who are going through tough things? We have to stop focusing on whatever we don’t have and focus on what our heavenly Father has for us: victory in him. 

He has also blessed us with someone he doesn’t give to just anyone. Our children have special needs, and I believe with all of my heart that God loves us so much that he entrusted us with caring for the weakest and most fragile of his children. How much he must love and trust us to allow us to be their parents. He gives us what we need, and he gives our children with disabilities the helpers they need. If we are overwhelmed, how must our children with disabilities feel? 

This month seek help from people who understand. Befriend someone else who has a child with a disability. Join a support group for parents of children with disabilities. Start your own Bible study group for parents with children with disabilities. You will find that many people are out there and living lives just like yours. God will send you the supportive people you need, and you can be supportive to them. Your child can even make new connections through those same interactions. Be positive and be active. 

Angela Ray Rodgers is also the author of Who Do You See When You Look At Me?  and Grace Anna Sings.