Hi friend,

Have you ever lain awake at night replaying moments from your child's early years, thinking "If only I had known then what I know now"?

Maybe it was that persistent concern you raised at doctor's appointments, only to be told, "It's normal."

Maybe it was that nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right, but you were too exhausted from sleepless nights to fight for answers.

Maybe it was that diagnosis that finally came—months or years later than it should have—confirming what your maternal instinct had been screaming all along.

This week on the Speaking Life Into Motherhood podcast, I'm getting vulnerable about my own journey with "mom guilt" after discovering my son's needs later than I wish I had.

EP 21: Mom Guilt to God's Grace: Overcoming Regret About Your Child's Early Intervention Listen Now

In this solo episode, I share:

• My experience of being told to get my son "a special light" to teach him when it was okay to get up, instead of addressing my concerns that he was stopping breathing during sleep
• How to work through mom guilt and realize we can only see what has been currently revealed to us.
• Biblical wisdom from Philippians, Romans, and Corinthians that help my perspective on looking backward
• Five practical steps for moving from guilt to purposeful advocacy

If you've struggled with similar feelings—especially as a Christian mother of a child with special needs—this message is for you.

📖 This Week's Devotional: When God Redeems Our "If Only" Moments

Reflection

When Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers in Egypt, he could have been consumed by bitterness over what they had done to him years before. "If only they hadn't thrown me in that pit. If only they hadn't sold me into slavery. If only..."

Instead, Joseph recognized God's redemptive hand working through even the most painful circumstances of his life. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20)

As mothers, we often carry our own collection of "if only" moments:

• If only that doctor had listened to me sooner
• If only I had trusted my instincts more
• If only I had known the signs to look for
• If only I had pushed harder for answers

But what if, like Joseph, we could begin to see how God might be working through even these painful chapters of our story?

The journey to diagnosis and intervention is rarely straight. It's filled with detours, setbacks, and delays that can leave us questioning our decisions and abilities as mothers. Yet God promises that He works all things—even the delays, even the dismissals, even the detours—for good for those who love Him.

Your story of delayed diagnosis or missed intervention isn't over. In fact, it may be just the beginning of a powerful testimony of God's redemptive work in your family.

Reflection Questions:

1. What "if only" moments am I still carrying in my heart regarding my child's journey?
2. How might God be using even those painful moments for a greater purpose?
3. In what ways can I use my experiences to help other mothers facing similar challenges?

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You see the weight of guilt that so many of us carry as mothers. The moments we replay in our minds, wishing we had known more, done more, fought harder, or seen clearer. Lord, You know that we were doing the best we could with the knowledge, resources, and energy we had at the time.

Father, I pray for every mother reading this who carries similar burdens. For the mom who just received a diagnosis and is retracing her steps wondering what she missed. For the mom who feels she failed her child by accepting answers that didn't address the real issues. For the mom who is exhausted from being both caregiver and constant advocate.

Replace our guilt with Your perfect grace. Transform our regret into renewed purpose. Help us to see how You can use even these painful parts of our journey for good—to shape us, to help others, and to draw us closer to You.

Give us wisdom as we move forward, courage to advocate confidently, and discernment to know which battles to fight. Most of all, help us to extend to ourselves the same grace that You so freely offer us.

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.

Question of the week: What mom guilt are you struggling with this week?

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I truly appreciate your support!

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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!

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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.​

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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.

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."