by jphilo | Oct 24, 2014 | Different Dream for My Child, Vlog Series
Welcome to my little gravel road. You are cordially invited to join the weekly story time for parents of kids with special needs over at DifferentDream.com. Once again, you can just sit back and relax, close your eyes and listen while someone does the work. How often does that happem?
This devotional is part of my book for parents, A Different Dream for My Child: Meditations for Parents of Children Who Are Critically or Chronically Ill. “Be Kind and Gracious” comes from the section about being in the hospital with a child. Naomi has 5 kids, 2 of whom have been hospitalized repeatedly. She explains the importance of exhibiting grace and kindness to those caring for a hospitalized child.
To view this vlog, hop on over to the DifferentDream.com post, Be Kind and Gracious.
by jphilo | Oct 10, 2014 | Different Dream for My Child, Vlog Series
The Different Dream vlog series is back with another Friday edition. Today’s devotional, Scrubbing In, comes from the hospital section of A Different Dream for My Child:Meditations for Parents or Critically or Chronically Ill Children. It’s about one of those maturing moments that are part and parcel of becoming the parent of a child with special needs, a maturing moment that changed the way I view hospital protocols and what I had to do to become the mother our son needed. No tissue warning with this one, though you may develop a hand washing compulsion if you watch it too often!
To see this vlog, click on this link.
Photo Credit: Jack Thumm at www.freedigitalphotos.net
by jphilo | Oct 3, 2014 | Different Dream for My Child, Vlog Series
Friday’s here, so it’s time for a new episode in the Different Dream vlog series for parents of kids with special needs. Though if you’re not a parent, you are welcome to stick around for a peek at what it’s like to raise children with special needs and disabilities. This post is the last one in the diagnosis section of A Different Dream for My Child: Meditations for Parents of Critically or Chronically Ill Children.
It’s called “Aching Arms,” and I had to record it two times before I could get through it without crying. The memory of holding our baby without a single tube or wire makes my eyes fill with tears every time. If you get teary at stories like that, grab a tissue before you watch the video below.
You can watch the “Aching Arms” vlog post at DifferentDream.com.
Photo Credit: phanlop88 at www.freedigitalphotos.net
by jphilo | Apr 18, 2011 | Daily Life
I’m not very happy with God today.
Several dear friends are hurting deeply,
and they will continue to hurt for a long, long time.
I spent part of today with one of them,
but couldn’t make the hurt go away.
Last night, I spent a long time on the phone with a young mom.
Her infant son and only child is hospitalized, unable to stop retching.
Her heart is broken, her sobs were wrenching,
and I couldn’t make the hurt go away.
Another mom emailed today about her five-year-old daughter who has PTSD.
She wanted advice about what course to take,
where to seek treatment,
how to make her daughter’s hurt go away.
This poor mom thinks I can give her a glimmer of hope.
But how can I help her when I can’t make my friends’ hurts go away?
When I can’t mend a mother’s broken heart?
When I can’t shield a child from pain?
Through it all, the source of my hope remains silent.
His word says he will bring good from what was meant for evil.
His work in my life confirms that promise.
But when will the hurt go away?
I’m not very happy with God today.
Still, I will trust him.
