You Are Not Alone – Join a Group that “Gets It!”
A friend looked at me and said, “Your whole faith foundation is shaking, as if you have no firm ground to stand on, isn’t it?” Written by Sarah McGuire
A friend looked at me and said, “Your whole faith foundation is shaking, as if you have no firm ground to stand on, isn’t it?” She’s the only one who knew and I hadn’t told her. I was so fearful others would find out I was questioning God and the very building blocks of my faith in Him. I was so ashamed I had these questions and doubts. My relationship with God had been my entire life. It had shaped my education, life goals, and daily rhythms. And now, I didn’t know what was true anymore.
Oh, I knew the book answers. I had graduated top of my class with a B.A. in Bible/Theology and another with a M.A. in Biblical Counseling. I went to a good Bible-teaching church, but it wasn’t meeting me where I was at. It didn’t get to the practical daily life questions that had become my struggle in the two years since my son with additional needs had been born and my world had flipped upside down. I felt so alone. Alone with my questions. Big, deep, scary God-questions. Doubts. Fears. Struggles. Life circumstances with no apparent answers. No way out.
My friend promised to pray for me, no judgement, just loving concern. That’s the best response she could have given. My questions were so deep that quick, simple answers were not going to solve them. It’s been over ten years since that conversation. I spent many of those years wrestling with God. I’ve found the answers to my faith questions and my relationship with God is stronger and truer than it was before.
As my husband, Jonathan, and I have talked with other parents of kids with disabilities or special needs, we’ve learned that I was definitely not alone with my questions and struggles. Questions and struggles not only in relation to God, but also in relation to how to navigate this life as a parent with a child who has additional needs. But, who do we go to with our questions? Who do we go to for support on days when life is overwhelming and often others just don’t “get it”?
Hope Anew is launching an online community for parents of kids with disabilities or special needs. A laugh together, cry together, pray together community.
Some features of the community include:
Forums/Chat room
Subgroups for more specific areas of interest (residential care, adoption, etc)
Quarterly master classes
Soul Care events with sharing and prayer
Answers to questions that can’t be googled
Monthly themes related to parenting kids with additional needs
And more…
Come join us in the Hope Anew Online Community, where together we are building the most encouraging, real, hope-filled way for parents of children (of all ages) impacted by disabilities or special needs to engage with a group that “gets it!”
For more information go to www.HopeAnew.com. You can also find us on Facebook and can glean from others who have walked this path on the Hope Anew Disability Podcast.
Written by Sarah McGuire
Hope & Healing For Special Needs Parents
Imagine a community who gets it. A community made up of parents who have been there. This community exists and we would like to invite you to be a part of it!
We were young parents, our second son had just been born and I was rocking in a recliner with him on my chest at two in the morning as he finally stopped screaming for a little while and slept. Oh what satisfaction, to finally have him sleep, even if for just a little while. This was allowing Sarah to get a brief rest after caring for him all day.
This was our “intro” into special needs eleven years ago. This was our first clue that something was different. This is when our world changed. Many doctor appointments later, the only help we received was, “We’ll make a note in his chart.” They would make a note that he couldn’t keep food down, that he was screaming in pain all day long, that he was projectile vomiting every time he ate and struggling with diarrhea and anal fissures. They would make a note that he was failing to thrive.
Our journey in special needs has taken us through many ups and downs. Every day having its challenges, it left us feeling alone and feeling like no one got it. There was a loss of faith in the medical system as it was unable to provide the answers or help we needed. It brought us to a point of questioning what we had been taught in church and Sunday school, wondering what promises from scripture we could hold on to. It brought us to a point of feeling broken, not being able to move forward, but having to. As a father, I mourned the loss of dreams that I had for my family and for my son. I struggled with how to best support my wife and family.
When did your world change? Does any of the following resonate with you? Is it all you can do to just keep pushing on, one more step, one more day, one more appointment? Do you feel like there is no one you can be real with and share the struggles you are having, so you bury them and keeping going forward? I’m guessing you keep caring for your family and making sure each person has what they need, except for you.
How long can you keep going like this?
Imagine a community who gets it. A community made up of parents who have been there. This community exists and we would like to invite you to be a part of it! Come join Hope Anew’s online Hope & Healing Group. We will kick off on March 22nd and will meet for 90 minutes on a weekly basis for 5 weeks. Sarah and I have the privilege of guiding you through this time, equipping you with tools you need for the journey ahead. Our background is in Biblical studies and counseling but most importantly we are the parents of two boys, the youngest of which has his own special needs. Each week, you will be able to see and interact with each other live as we discuss the topics of:
- Why God?
- What is Chronic Grief?
- Guilt & Forgiveness
- What is a Heart Wound?
- Healing Hearts
Come join a community who “gets it”, and be equipped in your journey towards Christ-centered hope and healing. Click here to register.