To the Special Needs Mama: God Sees You First 💌

Hey Mama,

Before you scroll away or move on to the next task on your never-ending list—I need you to pause. Just for a moment. From one special needs mom to another, I want to say this:

I see you.

I see your tired smile when someone says, “You’re so strong,” but they have no idea the cost.
I see you cry on the toilet because it’s the only door that locks.
I see your midnight Google searches, your hope wrapped in hashtags, your tears wrapped in towels so no one hears.
I see the celebrations that no one claps for—when a therapy goal is finally met, when a meltdown is avoided, when your child simply makes eye contact.

I see the medical bills.
The appointments.
The long drives to therapy.
The guilt for rescheduling.
The joy when it clicks.
The grief when it doesn’t.

I see how you’ve put yourself last for years. How your haircuts, hot meals, hobbies, and health have all been benched. Not because you stopped caring, but because you care so deeply.

And the thoughts?

“Did I do something wrong?”
“Is this a punishment?”
“Will they ever be okay?”
“Will I?”

Oh, Mama. Let me say it plainly: God saw you first.

Before anyone else labeled you “mom,” God whispered, “This one. She’ll do it with Me.”

He didn’t choose you because you had it all together.
He chose you because He knew that when you felt empty, you’d come back to Him to be filled.

Because you would fight for your child with love and faith.

I’m right here too. I have three beautiful children. Two of them have special needs.
One is 20. One is 16. And let me tell you—sometimes it gets easier and sometimes it doesn’t “get easier,” it just gets different.

I didn’t drop anyone off at college.
I’m not picking out dorm bedding or buying mini fridges.
I’m researching special needs colleges, life skills programs, vocational mentors, and anyone who can help.

And maybe your journey will look different. Maybe your child will never drive. Maybe they’ll never live alone.
But Mama, maybe they’ll light up a room, learn a word, or just let you hug them today.

That is holy.
That is enough.
That is worth celebrating.

You are not failing.
You are faithing.

So if no one else says it:
I’m proud of you.
God delights in you.
He hears you.
He collects your tears.

And today?
He’s asking you to step back.
Let Him lead.
Let Him love you as fiercely as you’ve loved your child.

Take the nap.
Drink the coffee.
Ask for help.
Receive His grace.
And never, ever forget—you are not alone in this.

With love, grit, grace, and a whole lot of coffee,

Felicia 💛
Founder of FaithSips, Special Needs Mama, Your Sister Christ, that’s in the Journey with you!

📖 Scriptures to Carry You:

Isaiah 40:11 (NIV) – “He gently leads those that have young.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Psalm 56:8 (NLT) – “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.”
Galatians 6:9 (NIV) – “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”