When the Storm of Special Needs Parenting Hits

by May 13, 2015Encouragement, Spiritual Support0 comments

Guest blogger Stephanie Ballard and her son haven’t been sleeping through the night time thunder storms that are part of spring in the Midwest. Instead she used the dark hours to write a poem about weathering the storms that can accompany special needs parenting.

The Storm

Outside the rain was pouring
The lightning flashed with fury
Then something woke me from my sleep
A shadow…still quite blurry.
A hand reached out to wake me
And I was not prepared.

Then I heard the softest whisper–saying,
“Mommy I am scared.
It’s dark in my room, Mommy,
and the lightening…it goes boom.
I don’t want to be alone, Mommy,
and so I left my room.
I got so scared all by myself
not knowing what to do.
I guess that I was hoping
That I could sleep with you.”

And so I moved on over,
pulling blankets in a heap
And said, “Come lay beside me.”
Then I whispered, “Go to sleep.”

The storm…continued noisily
as nature must endure.
My child…he slept quietly,
peaceful and secure.

I found myself awake now,
his feet nudged in my side,
just listening intently
as the storm raged on outside.

I have faced my share of storms:
hardships, lessons, trials.
They remind me to appreciate
The laughter, love and smiles.

What would God do, if I came
to find him in the night?
And said, “Lord, I am so afraid
that things won’t be all right.
The storm has overtaken me
And all the plans I’ve made…
Lord, can I come sit with you?
I’m lonely and afraid.”

In my mind I see Him
Beckoning me near,
whispering, “Be patient,
wait for the clouds to clear.
Don’t be afraid to face your storm
or linger in the rain
for even though you may get wet
courage comes from pain.”

As we sat and talked awhile,
the skies began to clear.
The storm had dissipated,
there was nothing left to fear.

The sun came out behind the clouds,
the promise of a perfect day.
I couldn’t even see a sign
of clouds that were once gray.

I said, “The storm is over, Lord,
and look at that sunshine.
I made it through…I am still here
and things will be just fine.”

Then morning came
with quite a hug…and many kisses too,
“Hey, Mom if I get scared again
can I still come find you?”
“Of course you can,” I said to him,
suddenly enlightened.
“Mommy’s always here for you
Even when you’re most frightened.”

God must feel the same way, too.
He might even say,
“Come find Me when you are afraid.
Come kneel down to pray.”

How wonderful it is, I thought,
that this could be my norm,
that God could take my hand Himself
and lead me through the storm.

How Do You Survive the Storm of Special Needs Parenting?

What sustains you when the storm of parenting a child with special needs hits? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

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By Stephanie Ballard

Stephanie Ballard is the mother of two sons, her youngest son, Braeden, was born with Kabuki Syndrome and congenital heart defects. Her oldest son, Colin is in the military. She enjoys writing poetry and life lessons about her journey in life.

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Meet Jolene

Jolene Philo is a published author, speaker, wife, and mother of a son with special needs.

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