Dear Friend,
Happy Mother's Day to you, wonderful mama. Whether today finds you celebrating joyfully or navigating complex emotions, I want you to know that you are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated for the sacred work you do every day as a mama.
Today, I'm sharing a brand new podcast episode that I recorded especially for you: "Finding Joy and Peace on Mother's Day as a Christian Special Needs Mom." This episode comes straight from my heart to yours, as I understand that Mother's Day can bring a mixture of emotions for those of on the special needs parenting journey.
In this episode, I share a personal story about a Mother's Day seven years ago when I was in the midst of infertility and had recently suffered a miscarriage. I couldn't celebrate that year, and my own mother's grace in that moment taught me something profound about motherhood: sometimes love looks like making space for pain, not demanding that every occasion match the picture-perfect ideal.
I also dive into scripture to find comfort and wisdom for our unique journeys, looking at Hannah's story, the woman who was bent over for 18 years, and the promise that God is "doing a new thing" in our lives.
EP 19: Finding Joy and Peace on Mother's Day
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📖 Mother's Day Devotional: Reframing Expectations
"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." - Proverbs 16:9 |
When you first dreamed of being a mother, you likely had a clear vision of what that would look like. Maybe you imagined cozy bedtime stories, first days of school, sports games, dance recitals, and countless other milestones that seem to define the "typical" motherhood journey.
Then came the realization that your child's path—and therefore your motherhood—would look different. Therapy appointments replaced playdates. IEP meetings became more important than PTA meetings. Celebrating unconventional milestones became your new normal.
In the midst of this unexpected journey, it can be easy to focus on what we've lost—the expectations we've had to let go. But what if we shifted our perspective?
When Jesus healed the woman who had been bent over for 18 years (Luke 13:10-17), He didn't just straighten her back—He completely transformed her view. Suddenly, she could see more than just the ground at her feet. She could see faces, the sky, and a whole world that had been above her line of sight for nearly two decades.
I believe God wants to transform our view of motherhood in a similar way. He wants to lift our gaze from what we thought motherhood would be to see the beauty of what it actually is—a sacred calling tailored specifically to us and our children.
Like the woman in Luke 13, we may have been bent over by grief, exhaustion, or comparison. But Jesus is inviting us to stand tall and see our journey from a new perspective—one that celebrates the unique beauty of the path we're on, not the one we thought we'd travel.
This Mother's Day, I encourage you to let Jesus straighten your perspective. Look for the gifts in your journey—the deeper compassion you've developed, the advocacy skills you've mastered, the community of fellow special needs parents you've found, and the countless ways your child has taught you to celebrate the smallest victories.
Your motherhood journey may not match your expectations, but it perfectly matches God's purpose for your life and your child's life. And there is profound joy and peace to be found in that truth.
A Prayer for Special Needs Moms on Mother's Day
Loving Father,
You know each of us by name—our strengths, our struggles, our hopes, and our fears as mothers of children with special needs. On this Mother's Day, we come before You with hearts that may hold both celebration and sorrow.
Lord, when motherhood looks different than we expected, help us to see it through Your eyes—as a sacred calling uniquely designed for us. Where the world might see limitation, help us to see possibility. Where others might see challenge, help us to see opportunity for Your love to shine through.
Father, ease our exhaustion with Your strength. Calm our anxious thoughts with Your peace. Replace our feelings of inadequacy with the confidence that comes from knowing we are exactly the mothers our children need.
On days when we feel isolated in our journey, remind us that You are walking beside us every step of the way. When milestones are delayed or look different, help us to celebrate the victories that others might miss.
God, speak life into our motherhood journey today. Let Your words of truth drown out the voices of comparison, doubt, and fear. Help us to hear Your voice affirming us, guiding us, and reminding us that this work we do—loving and caring for our special children—matters deeply to You.
Thank You for the gift of our children, for how they have transformed us, challenged us, and helped us grow. May we find unexpected joy in the ordinary moments and deep peace in knowing that You have entrusted these precious children to us for a purpose.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
💞 Creating Community
If you haven't already, please consider join me in the Facebook group. I hope to build a safe place where Christian mama's can come to be lifted up and supported.
🌺 Wellness Corner
Whether your trying to be more holistic, of just need a change in your current wellness routine, essential oils can provide so much for exhausted moms. This spring, I have exclusive freebies to new doTERRA customers and would love to help you move towards better wellness by cutting toxins and incorporating
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Mama, it's time to relax!
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I truly appreciate your support!
Have a topic you want discussed? Interested in being interviewed on the podcast? Looking for natural solutions for your family? I'm just an email away! :) I'd love to hear from you!
Share your thoughts, prayer requests, or simply connect with our growing community on Instagram @speaking_life_into_motherhood or join our private Facebook group Speaking Life Into Motherhood.
With love and grace,
Elyse
P.S. If this episode resonated with you, would you consider sharing it with a friend who might need it? Sometimes the greatest gift we can give another mother is the reminder that she's not alone in her struggles.
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Elyse Scheeler
Podcast Host of Speaking Life Into Motherhood
Speech Language Pathologist, Wellness Coach, doTerra Wellness Advocate
"Empowering transformations by speaking life into mind, body, and soul."
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