As I sit here in my chair, weary from lack of sleep and caring for my child with special needs, I want you to know that I am praying for you.
As a parent of a special needs child/adult, I go through my daily routine pretending that I have it all under control. I hesitate to share publicly what I bear on a daily basis. But, if you also have a special needs child, I want you to know that I pray for you and the needs of your own family.
“As you get out of bed tomorrow to repeat the hardships of today, know that I am praying for you, not by name but by circumstance. May you be strengthened each day and reminded that He has qualified YOU to do it again tomorrow.”
I wake up at 1 a.m., 3 a.m., and 5 a.m. to take care of my daughter, knowing that I have to repeat this all over the next night. I don’t share these details often with people, because I don’t like to share my trials and struggles with others. Truly, I don’t share because, I wonder, would people really care?Would they just feel sorry for me and then go on with their day, not taking another second to think about the struggles of a special needs parent and all that goes along with that?
Whether the needs of your child are emotional, physical, developmental, spiritual or psychological, know that you should have a group that walks, cries, and prays with you through these times. Most people will never know the pain, lack of sleep, tears and love that you shed as you care for your child. There is no purple heart for being a parent called to a very special child, but you wake up the next day and you do it all over again.
I am praying for the mom that is tired, weary, and does not know who will stand by her side because her child is different from the others in her church. I am praying for patience, wisdom, healing and rest for YOU. Know that you are and your child are worthy of this prayer and that your efforts matter. With tears in my eyes I want to remind you that your efforts matter to your child and they matter to our God.
In Chapter One of Colossians we are encouraged by Paul to continually pray for each other. So, as you get out of bed tomorrow to repeat the hardships of today, know that I am praying for you, not by name but by circumstance. May you be strengthened each day and reminded that He has qualified YOU to do it again tomorrow.
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." - Colossians 1:9-12
Meet the Author!
Tammy Jensen is mother, wife and school administrator. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Education. She is the mom of three children over the age of 19 with one being multiple special needs and an adopted son. She has been married to her husband, John for 23 years. Her mission field is education as she gets to impact students lives through the love of Christ. Currently she serves as Dean of Students, Spirit Coordinator and Activities Director at Crossings Christian School.