Today I’m sharing a review of a new book of devotions for special needs moms.
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Recently I took my youngest three children to our pediatrician for a regular check-up. As my four-year-old bounced around the office and chattered in his always-too-loud voice, our infant was unphased. The doctor spoke softly to our baby. “You’re used to a little noise, aren’t you? A little chaos?”
I laughed and agreed. Remembering that my pediatrician also has six young children, I asked about the state of his household. “Bliss. Pure bliss,” he joked.
I love the joys and challenges of raising a houseful of kids, but chaos pretty much sums it up. On the harder days, I might choose different words.
Exhausting. Messy. Difficult.
When I think of my friends who’ve been given children with special needs, I know that their difficult days are greater in number. What words would they use to describe parenting?
Troubling – as they notice their children not meeting developmental milestones.
Devastating – as they get a heartbreaking diagnosis.
Exhausting – as they meet the daily challenges of parenting a child with special needs.
Heartwrenching – as they consider the future and what it holds for their family.
A new devotional, Show Me Your Mighty Hand, compares the life of a mother of a special needs child with the life of Jesus’ mother, Mary.
Mary certainly had her share of challenges, didn’t she?
She was unwed and pregnant.
She endured a long, dusty journey at the end of her pregnancy, only to deliver her baby in a filthy home for animals.
An evil king wanted her baby dead.
She watched her beloved son be bullied, persecuted, and, finally – tortured to death.
Like Mary, the mothers of Show Me Your Mighty Hand have had their faith tried and tested. Many have asked “God, why are you allowing this sadness in my life? Do you care about me at all? How can I get through today? How can I get through tomorrow? God, where are you?”
Woven through the book are God’s comforting answers.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
You see, despite the life-altering challenges, daily struggles, and the physical exhaustion of serving children with special needs, God’s promises are unchanged. He heals, restores, comforts and strengthens.
Best of all, he saves.
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
As you read the stories in Show Me Your Mighty Hand, my prayer is that you are encouraged by God’s presence and promises. May you learn that you can trust God’s plans even when you don’t understand them. May God give you, too, the peace that passes all understanding.
Disclosure: I was given a copy of the Show Me Your Mighty Hand in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Stock images via iStock.
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